WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Video
This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

Turns Out Going To The Movies Totally Counts As Cardio

Turns Out Going To The Movies Totally Counts As Cardio

Could A Healthier Gut Be The Key To Greater Gym Gains?

Could A Healthier Gut Be The Key To Greater Gym Gains?

For The Love Of God, Please Stop Foam Rolling This Body Part

For The Love Of God, Please Stop Foam Rolling This Body Part

{headline}

{headline}

Victoria Beckham Just Shared Her Hot Tip For Longer, Leaner Muscles

Victoria Beckham Just Shared Her Hot Tip For Longer, Leaner Muscles

Kristen Bell’s Approach To Working Out Is Something We Should All Live By

Kristen Bell’s Approach To Working Out Is Something We Should All Live By

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

{headline}

{headline}

The Surprising Thing That's Causing Your Back Pain

The Surprising Thing That's Causing Your Back Pain

Why You Should Slow Down Your Workouts As Life Speeds Up

Why You Should Slow Down Your Workouts As Life Speeds Up

Boosting Your Intake Of This Vitamin Could Make You Fitter

Boosting Your Intake Of This Vitamin Could Make You Fitter

The Daily Activity That’s More Effective At Beating Depression Than Exercise

The Daily Activity That’s More Effective At Beating Depression Than Exercise

Science Says Having A Gym Buddy Can Help You Live Longer

Science Says Having A Gym Buddy Can Help You Live Longer

There Is An Optimal Length For Your Workout And It’s Less Than You Think

There Is An Optimal Length For Your Workout And It’s Less Than You Think

This Daily Habit Can Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Up To 38 Per Cent

This Daily Habit Can Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Up To 38 Per Cent

  1. Home
  2. News

This Is How Often (And How Long) You Should Workout For The Best Mental Health Benefits

More isn't always best... - by Lauren Williamson
  • 10 Aug 2018
This Is How Often (And How Long) You Should Workout For The Best Mental Health Benefits
Getty Images

Exercise has undeniable benefits for your body, but its positive impact on your mind is also starting to be widely recognised.

In fact, a new study has determined the exact frequency and duration of workouts per week to gain the greatest benefits to mental health. Research published in The Lancet Psychiatry Journal analysed data from over one million people, comparing the number of days of bad self-reported mental health between individuals who exercised and those who did not.

RELATED: Stopping Exercise Can Increase Depressive Symptoms, Study Says

After accounting for factors like gender, income, age and race, the analysed the effect of exercise type, duration, frequency and intensity the subjects undertook.

They found that individuals who exercised had 1.49 (43.2%) fewer days of poor mental health those who didn’t exercise, and the optimum amount to exercise is 45 minutes three to five times a week.

While also exercise types were effective, bigger benefits were seen for popular team sports (22·3% lower mental health burden), cycling (21·6% lower), and aerobic and gym activities (20·1% lower).

However, they also found that more exercise was not always better. Working out for more than three hours a day was linked to worse mental health than not exercising at all. The authors suggest that people doing excessive amounts of exercise might also be prone to obsessive characteristic, putting them at greater risk of poor mental health.

RELATED: What Is Orthorexia And What Are The Signs You Might Have It?

  • News
  • Health
  • Mental Health
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is the Digital Content Manager for Women's Health and Men's Health. She's an experienced journalist, editor and social media fiend who's well versed in reporting on everything from food trends to fitness, health news to haircare. She has a double degree in Journalism and Political Science.

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $39

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $39

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack
Watch 0:23

This Simple, Effective Ab Workout Will Shred Your Six-Pack

{headline}

{headline}

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

Turns Out Going To The Movies Totally Counts As Cardio

Turns Out Going To The Movies Totally Counts As Cardio

Could A Healthier Gut Be The Key To Greater Gym Gains?

Could A Healthier Gut Be The Key To Greater Gym Gains?

For The Love Of God, Please Stop Foam Rolling This Body Part

For The Love Of God, Please Stop Foam Rolling This Body Part

{headline}

{headline}

Victoria Beckham Just Shared Her Hot Tip For Longer, Leaner Muscles

Victoria Beckham Just Shared Her Hot Tip For Longer, Leaner Muscles

Kristen Bell’s Approach To Working Out Is Something We Should All Live By

Kristen Bell’s Approach To Working Out Is Something We Should All Live By

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

'I Lost 50kg By Adopting This Simple Habit At Mealtimes'

{headline}

{headline}

The Surprising Thing That's Causing Your Back Pain

The Surprising Thing That's Causing Your Back Pain

Why You Should Slow Down Your Workouts As Life Speeds Up

Why You Should Slow Down Your Workouts As Life Speeds Up

Boosting Your Intake Of This Vitamin Could Make You Fitter

Boosting Your Intake Of This Vitamin Could Make You Fitter

The Daily Activity That’s More Effective At Beating Depression Than Exercise

The Daily Activity That’s More Effective At Beating Depression Than Exercise

Science Says Having A Gym Buddy Can Help You Live Longer

Science Says Having A Gym Buddy Can Help You Live Longer

There Is An Optimal Length For Your Workout And It’s Less Than You Think

There Is An Optimal Length For Your Workout And It’s Less Than You Think

This Daily Habit Can Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Up To 38 Per Cent

This Daily Habit Can Reduce Your Risk Of Heart Disease By Up To 38 Per Cent

WomensHealth
  • About Paragon Media
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Paragon Media
  • Contact Paragon Media
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
  • Men’s Health
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $39

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now