A study in the Journal of Women’s Health suggests that brisk walking may reduce the severity of symptoms associated with postpartum depression.
Conducted by a team of Canadian researchers, data from five research projects were analyzed, which involved more than 200 participants.
In the study, researchers recommended walking at a moderate intensity for 90 to 120 minutes per week, or as little as 15 minutes per day.
“Rising demands for traditional postpartum depression (PPD) treatment options (e.g., psychiatry), especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, are increasingly difficult to meet,” the authors stated in the journal article.
“More accessible treatment options (e.g., walking) are needed.”
“While limited by a relatively small number of included studies, pooled effect estimates suggest that walking may help mothers manage PPD. This is the first-time walking as treatment for PPD, an exercise modality that uniquely addresses many barriers faced by mothers, has been summarized in a systematic way,” according to researchers.
