According to new findings in Preventive Medicine, people who engaged in physical exercise during the initial lockdown span of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced fewer mental health problems.
The study, including over 20,000 participants, emphasizes how people who spend more time outdoors are likelier to have less anxiety and depression.
Researchers sent a questionnaire pertaining to 250,000 participants associated with COVID-19.
“What these study findings tell us is that even during an active pandemic or other public health crisis, people should be encouraged to be physically active to help maintain their physical and mental health,” the study’s lead author explained in the findings.
“What we learned from these findings is that during future emergencies it will be important to carefully weigh the decisions to close parks and outdoor areas against the negative impact those closures may have on people’s mental health.”
