Physical activity refers to any movement caused by the skeletal muscles that increases energy consumption above the basal metabolic rate (Caspersen, Powell & Christenson, 1985). In short, anything that you do more muscular activity than you already do unconsciously. This includes physical activities at work, at home or in your free time. Exercise is not only important for your physical health, but also for your mental health. It makes a significant contribution to the prevention of a wide range of illnesses.

In addition, regular physical activity promotes Wellbeing and life satisfaction and also reduces depressive symptoms. Last but not least, it increases life expectancy.

British researchers from Oxford and Yale Universities have investigated whether physical activity makes people feel better. They surveyed more than 1.2 million people in the USA over several years to find out how they had felt over the last 30 days. On average, the participants felt bad for 3.4 days per month. This figure was reduced by 1.5 days per month for people who were more physically active, such as exercising, doing housework or mowing the lawn. However, it is not always possible to identify exactly what is cause and what is effect in the studies. According to Ulrich Hegerl, Chairman of the German Depression Relief Foundation, it is also theoretically possible that people who are doing well are generally more motivated and therefore do more sport. Hegerl warns that increased exercise can in no way replace medical treatment for depression. However, many studies have already shown that physical activity is a successful component in the treatment of depression. All in all, increased physical activity has a positive effect on mental health.