The brain secretes natural chemicals during exercise giving the person a feeling of happiness.
One hour of exercise per week can help reduce the risk of developing depression, according to a study.
Daily Mail reported that the study included more than 30,000 people and found that 12 percent of depression could have been prevented by exercise because of the brain's secretion of endorphins.
Endorphin hormones help to reduce negative emotions and a sense of relaxation.
More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, and this number is expected to increase.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, recommended that health experts use this information to modify treatment options for patients with depression.
Researchers at the Black Dog Institute in Australia analyzed levels of exercise and symptoms of depression in 33,808 people, who were monitored for more than 11 years to determine the impact of exercise on their mental health.
Participants were asked to determine the type of exercise they practiced and the duration of their exercise, and then a survey was conducted to determine their levels of anxiety and depression.
The results showed that people who do not exercise at all are 44% more likely to develop depression than those who exercise for one to two hours a week.
The team concluded that 12% of depression could have been prevented if people had been physically active for only one hour per week.
“We have known for some time that exercise has a role in treating the symptoms of depression, but this is the first time that we have been able to monitor the potential for exercise to prevent depression,” said Samuel Harvey, a senior researcher at Black Dog.
“These results are good because they show that short-term exercise—even if it is just one hour a week—can provide great protection from depression.”
It is said that the brain produces natural chemicals during exercise, which gives the person a sense of happiness.
Harvey said the findings illustrate the importance of integrating exercise into mental health plans and public health campaigns.