Brisk spring cleaning may make you happier, according to research published today.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, also claims that regular exercise in middle age can stave off the negative effects of ageing.
The researchers took a sample of nearly 20,000 people who had completed the Scottish Health Survey and asked them about their exercise habits and state of mind. Almost one-in-five of the respondents were found to be suffering stress or anxiety, according to a commonly used mental health scale.
The study showed that any form of daily exercise reduced the amount of distress, even when factors like long-term health problems and age were taken into consideration.
Participating in weekly sport was found to reduce distress in a third of those questioned. Even moderate exercise like housework, walking or gardening was an effective stress buster in up to 20% of cases.
The researchers concluded that: "Mental health benefits were observed at a minimal level of at least 20 minutes each week of any physical activity, with greater risk reduction for activity at a higher intensity."
A second study published in the journal found that regular aerobic exercise could slow down the biological ageing process by 10 - 12 years. It also said that people may be able to live longer independently if they exercised during middle age and into retirement.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, also claims that regular exercise in middle age can stave off the negative effects of ageing.
The researchers took a sample of nearly 20,000 people who had completed the Scottish Health Survey and asked them about their exercise habits and state of mind. Almost one-in-five of the respondents were found to be suffering stress or anxiety, according to a commonly used mental health scale.
The study showed that any form of daily exercise reduced the amount of distress, even when factors like long-term health problems and age were taken into consideration.
Participating in weekly sport was found to reduce distress in a third of those questioned. Even moderate exercise like housework, walking or gardening was an effective stress buster in up to 20% of cases.
The researchers concluded that: "Mental health benefits were observed at a minimal level of at least 20 minutes each week of any physical activity, with greater risk reduction for activity at a higher intensity."
A second study published in the journal found that regular aerobic exercise could slow down the biological ageing process by 10 - 12 years. It also said that people may be able to live longer independently if they exercised during middle age and into retirement.
