The more you walk, the less likely you are to be depressed, study finds

In your sneakers (but heels work too)! On December 16, the Times revealed the results of a study carried out by researchers at the University of Castile-La Mancha in Spain on walking. According to this, walkers are less likely to be depressed. Having a goal of 7,000 steps per day would be ideal.

Every 1,000 daily steps up to 10,000 would reduce the risk of depression by 9%. According to the study, people who walk more than 7,000 steps per day are also 31% less likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to sedentary individuals. According to scientists, recommending that people increase their daily step count could thus be part of a “comprehensive public health approach” to combat depression and mental disorders. Small, simple changes would help you get closer to the recommended 7,000 steps: get off the bus one stop earlier, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or take a walk during lunch breaks.

It remains to be proven

The research is based on data collected from 96,000 people. The researchers of theUniversity College of London, interviewed by the Timeshowever, are cautious with regard to the results of the study and are careful not to draw hasty conclusions. According to them, it would be wrong to directly establish a causal link between depression and physical activity based on this observation. According to the professor David Curtis : “The study shows that people with more depressive symptoms tend to take fewer steps and vice versa. This study cannot tell us whether it would prevent depression. It just shows that less depressed people walk more, but of course that could just be because they are more happy and active. » Inactivity is indeed one of the symptoms of depression. He concludes: “I am concerned that this study provides no evidence that walking prevents depression. » If additional data is necessary to rule on the question, the fact remains that the message is intended to be encouraging. It is also proven that daily walks reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.