EXERCISE BEST TO BEAT DEPRESSION

Swimming & zumba outshine happy pills

- BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

EXERCISE is better than any drugs or counselling for helping with depression and anxiety, research shows.

A huge scientific review of 63 studies found aerobic activity - such as running, swimming, and dancing - are most effective for relieving mental health symptoms.

The research, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found supervised group drills, such as spinning classes, appeared best on average for depression while lower intensity exertions appeared best for relieving anxiety.

Depression and anxiety affects one in four people and is more common among young people and women.