We’re experimenting with AI-generated content to help deliver information faster and more efficiently.
While we try to keep things accurate, this content is part of an ongoing experiment and may not always be reliable.
Please double-check important details — we’re not responsible for how the information is used.

Anxiety

The Why Behind Exercise Matters More Than You Think

Movement helps your mood, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Exercising for fun, with friends, or in enjoyable settings brings greater mental health benefits than simply moving for chores or obligations. Researchers emphasize that context — who you’re with, why you’re exercising, and even the weather — can make or break the mood-boosting effects.

Published

2 hours ago

July 14, 2025

Veronic D.

The relationship between exercise and mental health has been widely researched, but a recent study from the University of Georgia suggests that it’s not just the physical movement itself that affects mental well-being. Instead, it’s the why, where, and how you exercise that makes all the difference.

Historically, research on physical activity has focused on the length and intensity of exercise sessions, with little attention paid to the context in which they take place. However, this approach may be oversimplifying the complex relationship between exercise and mental health. As co-author Patrick O’Connor explains, “The ‘dose’ of exercise has been the dominant way researchers have tried to understand how physical activity might influence mental health, while often ignoring whether those minutes were spent exercising with a friend or as part of a game.”

Leisure-time physical activity, such as going for a run, taking a yoga class, or biking for fun, has been shown to correlate with better mental health outcomes. However, these benefits may vary significantly depending on the environment and circumstances surrounding the activity. For example, exercising alone in a gym may have different effects than working out with friends in a park.

Multiple studies have found that people who engage in regular leisure-time physical activity tend to report lower levels of depression and anxiety. However, it’s less clear whether other forms of physical activity, such as cleaning the house or working for a lawn care company, have similar benefits.

The context of exercise can also play a significant role in its impact on mental health. As O’Connor notes, “If you do the exact same exercise but miss the goal and people are blaming you, you likely feel very differently.” This highlights the importance of considering not only the physical activity itself but also the social and emotional aspects surrounding it.

Randomized controlled trials have shown that adopting regular exercise routines can boost mental health, especially for individuals with existing mental health disorders. However, these studies were typically based on small, short-term, and homogenous samples, so their results may not be generalizable to larger, more diverse groups.

The average effects of exercise on mental health are small across all the randomized controlled studies, partly because most of them focused on people who were not depressed or anxious. This suggests that larger- and longer-term controlled studies are needed to make a compelling case for whether exercise does, or does not, truly impact mental health.

Ultimately, understanding contextual factors is crucial in determining the impact of exercise on mental health. As O’Connor concludes, “If we’re trying to help people’s mental health with exercise, then not only do we need to think about the dose and the mode, we also need to ask: What is the context?” By considering these factors, researchers can develop more effective strategies for promoting mental well-being through physical activity.

Source:University of Georgia

Original Link:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250713031443.htm

Don't Miss

Uncovering Ancient Histories: Princeton Study Reveals 200,000 Years of Human-Neanderthal Interbreeding

Anxiety

The Monday Effect: How Mondays Can Etch Stress into Your Biology for Months

Feeling jittery as the week kicks off isn’t just a mood—it leaves a biochemical footprint. Researchers tracked thousands of older adults and found those who dread Mondays carry elevated cortisol in their hair for months, a stress echo that may help explain the well-known Monday heart-attack spike. Even retirees aren’t spared, hinting that society’s calendar, not the workplace alone, wires Monday anxiety deep into the HPA axis and, ultimately, cardiovascular risk.

Published

6 days ago

July 8, 2025

Veronic D.

The Monday Effect: How Mondays Can Etch Stress into Your Biology for Months

A groundbreaking research study conducted by Professor Tarani Chandola from the University of Hong Kong has shed light on a surprising phenomenon: Mondays can trigger long-term biological stress in older adults, regardless of their working status. This “Anxious Monday” effect has significant implications for heart health and suggests that societal rhythms, not just job demands, can deeply embed themselves in human physiology.

The study analyzed data from over 3,500 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and found that older adults who felt anxious on Mondays exhibited significantly higher long-term stress hormone levels – up to two months later. This is a striking biological phenomenon that points to a deep-rooted link between the start of the week and the dysregulation of the body’s stress response system.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress hormones like cortisol, which can contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction when chronically elevated. While prior research noted higher cortisol levels on weekdays versus weekends, this study is the first to pinpoint Mondays as uniquely disruptive.

According to Professor Chandola, “Mondays act as a cultural ‘stress amplifier.’ For some older adults, the week’s transition triggers a biological cascade that lingers for months. This isn’t about work – it’s about how deeply ingrained Mondays are in our stress physiology, even after careers end.”

The study underscores the importance of addressing Monday-specific stress to combat heart disease in aging populations. By acknowledging and managing this unique stress trigger, we may unlock new strategies to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases associated with long-term stress hormone dysregulation.

Anxiety

Self-Esteem Soars 131% After Weight-Loss Surgery, Groundbreaking Study Reveals

Self-esteem scores jumped a remarkable 131% within just one year of bariatric surgery, according to a large study presented at ASMBS 2025. Tracking nearly 5,800 patients, researchers found a direct link between weight loss and rising confidence, with the greatest psychological boosts seen in those who lost the most weight. Despite differences in gender, race, or procedure type, patients across the board reported profound improvements in self-worth. The findings shine a spotlight on how addressing weight stigma through surgery can dramatically reshape not just bodies but minds.

Published

3 weeks ago

June 21, 2025

Veronic D.

The study, presented at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, has made a groundbreaking discovery about the profound impact of weight-loss surgery on patients’ self-esteem. Researchers from Geisinger Medical Center found that within one year of undergoing bariatric surgery, participants experienced a staggering 131% increase in their self-esteem scores.

The study involved a database of 5,749 patients aged 18 and older with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more who had undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2019. The participants completed the Impact of Weight Quality of Life (iwQOL) survey before and 12 months after their operation to assess weight stigma and quality of life.

The results showed that self-esteem scores rose from an average of 33.6 to 77.5, a more than 40-point increase on a scale from 0 to 100. The study also found that the amount of weight loss was directly correlated with the increase in self-esteem, regardless of demographics such as gender, age, and race or type of bariatric procedure.

Justin Dhyani, MD, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding weight stigma and psychosocial factors associated with obesity. “While these factors should not dictate the decision to have bariatric surgery, they should be an important part of the conversation,” he said.

Ann M. Rogers, MD, FACS, FASMBS, President of ASMBS, added that weight stigma is a serious issue that places an extra psychological burden on patients struggling with obesity. “This study shows we need to understand what patients are going through and be supportive and empowering of them as they navigate their health and make decisions about treatment,” she said.

The findings of this study have significant implications for the holistic care of patients with obesity, highlighting the importance of addressing weight stigma and psychosocial factors in conjunction with medical treatment. By providing supportive and empowering care, healthcare professionals can help patients achieve a better quality of life and overcome the challenges associated with obesity.

Anxiety

Single Psilocybin Dose Delivers Long-Term Depression Relief for Cancer Patients

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, might just revolutionize how depression and anxiety are treated in cancer patients. In a groundbreaking trial, a single dose combined with therapy significantly reduced emotional suffering, and these effects often lasted over two years. As follow-up studies expand the research to multiple doses and larger samples, scientists are eyeing a possible new standard of care that merges psychedelics with psychological support.

Published

4 weeks ago

June 17, 2025

Veronic D.

A groundbreaking clinical trial has revealed that a single dose of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in mushrooms, can provide sustained reductions in depression and anxiety in individuals with cancer suffering from major depressive disorder. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal CANCER, suggest that this treatment approach may offer long-term relief for cancer patients struggling with depression.

The study involved 28 participants who received psychological support from a therapist prior to, during, and after receiving a single 25-mg dose of psilocybin. Two years later, a significant proportion of these individuals demonstrated lasting reductions in depression and anxiety. Specifically:

* 53.6% (15 patients) showed a sustained reduction in depression.
* 50% (14 patients) experienced remission from depression as well as reduced anxiety.
* 42.9% (12 patients) reported reduced anxiety at the two-year mark.

Building on these promising results, an ongoing randomized, double-blind trial is currently evaluating up to two doses of 25 mg of psilocybin versus placebo for treating depression and anxiety in cancer patients. This study aims to determine whether repeating the treatment can resolve depression for more than half of the participants.

According to lead author Manish Agrawal, MD, from Sunstone Therapies, “One dose of psilocybin with psychological support has a long-term positive impact on relieving depression for as much as 2 years for a substantial portion of patients with cancer. If randomized testing shows similar results, this could lead to greater use of psilocybin to treat depression in patients with cancer.”