Whisk Those Blues Away

[okarol]

Whisk Those Blues Away   

By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay ReporterThu Apr 10, 7:02 PM ET

WEDNESDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- Scrubbing the tub and other forms of housework may clean your house and boost your mood.

In fact, as little as 20 minutes of any kind of physical activity a week helped mental health, although the more vigorous the activity, the greater the benefit, said the authors of a study published online Thursday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

"There's such a pervasive feeling in this country that, if there's a problem, there's always a pill to fix it," said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of Women and Heart Disease at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "This study is just reminding us that it doesn't take much to actually have an effect even on your mood."

The physical benefits of exercise are well known: It reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and even some cancers, among other things.

The mental benefits are less clear, although exercise is thought to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, which have been related to depression and dementia. Exercise might also improve mood by reducing stress levels.

"It's pretty clear that physical activity does have some kind of positive relationship to good mental health," said Dr. Jane Ripperger-Suhler, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and a psychiatrist with Scott & White Mental Health Center in Temple. "They [the study authors] are trying to figure out how much you need to do."

For the new study, almost 20,000 men and women participating in the 1995, 1998 and 2003 Scottish Health Surveys answered questionnaires about physical activity and "psychological distress."

Daily physical activity of any kind -- including housework, gardening, walking, and sports -- was associated with a 41 percent lower risk of psychological distress. But sports reduced the risk of mood lows the most -- by 33 percent.

And just in case women are thinking this study is a ploy to engage in more housework, think again. The study showed that more sports and overall activity increased your mood even more, but extra mopping and scrubbing didn't.

"The message is do a little bit of housework and a lot of sports," Ripperger-Suhler said.

According to the study authors, from University College London, this appears to be the first research to look at different specific activities in relation to mental health. The study wasn't designed to look at a cause-and-effect relationship, only that a relationship exists.

More information

The American Heart Association has more on mental health and physical activity.

[flip]

I liked the part about " a little bit of housework and a lot of sports". ESPN here I come.

[jbeany]

Sorry flip, armchair quarterback doesn't count!

[paris]

Wouldn't it be grand to do some type of excersise?  I walk the dog when he needs out.  Then I need to rest.  I load the dishwasher. Then I need to sleep.  I make the bed---------------and just want to crawl back into it!   I wonder if watching the grandkids play sports counts?

[kitkatz]

I am, NOT scrubbing the kitchen floor, no matter what they say!

[flip]

Actually, I still play golf and fish on a regular basis.

[bolta72]

lol, like your style flip.

[Sluff]

Ummm... NOT.

[Bryce]

I still do running training 3 to 4 time a week, its something I've always enjoyed and don't intend to give up, the  adrenalin rush I get from doing it seems to out-way any tiredness. I still get very tired from every day activities though, but running makes me feel better, even if sometimes it makes me 

[paris]

I run to the bathroom to throw up all the time----------does that count?

[Bryce]

Its a start 

[paris]

It is a long hallway-- thanks Bryce

[rose1999]

It is a long hallway-- thanks Bryce

glad to see you can still manage to see the bright side!  xx

[paddbear0000]

Bullsh**! I'm happier when I don't do the housework!