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.

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.

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.