Physical activity refers to any movement caused by skeletal muscle that raises energy expenditure above basal metabolic rate (Caspersen, Powell & Christenson, 1985). So, in short, anything you do in terms of muscle activity more than you necessarily already perform unconsciously. This includes, among other things, physical activities at work, at home, or during leisure 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 well-being and life satisfaction and also reduces depressive symptoms. Last but not least, it increases life expectancy.

British researchers at Oxford and Yale Universities have investigated whether physical activity makes people feel better. For this purpose, they surveyed a total of more than 1.2 million people in the U.S. over several years about their emotional state over the past 30 days. On average, participants felt bad 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 and mowing the lawn. However, it is not always possible to tell exactly what is cause and what is effect in the studies. According to Ulrich Hegerl, Chairman of the Stiftung Deutsche Derpressionshilfe (German Foundation for Help with Depression), it is theoretically possible that people who are doing well are generally more motivated and therefore do more sports. Hegerl warns that increased exercise can in no way replace medical therapy 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.