Introduction

If therapy and medication aren't getting your symptoms of depression and anxiety where you want them, there's another option. It's free, it doesn't require the help of another person, and it has no side effects. It's physical activity. Exercise. Movement. Whatever you want to call it. Meta-analyses of over 1,000 studies demonstrate that physical activity works at least as well as therapy and medication in reducing symptoms. It actually works better in terms of immediacy of effect and long-term outcomes. That being said, regular physical activity is a challenge for anyone, and symptoms of depression and anxiety increase that challenge. But you probably don't have to exercise nearly as much as you think...