Walking not only helps in staying fit, but is also considered one of the most effective antidepressants, claims a new study.
About 97% of all the people who walk regularly experience improvement in their mental and emotional health, to a Health Survey.
Walk for Health Survey is a study on walking behaviour of millennials and elderly carried across four cities, including in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Jaipur.
The survey also revealed that walking helps control stress among people across age groups.
While 42% of the elderly feel that walking helps beat stress, 50% of the millennials experience reduction of stress and hypertension, post walking, it added.
Among the depressed patients those who walk regularly, 59% said they forget about their illness while walking, 50% walk to break the monotony of daily life, 39% feel walking makes them happier, while 26% walk to improve their work-life balance.
Walking gives 19% millennials time for self-introspection, while it gives 21% elderly the feeling of self-reliance.
The survey said walking helps patients with depression interact with other people outside their house. Interestingly this percentage was higher for millennials (20%) as compared to the elderly (12%).
About 43% are unable to walk as long daily commute leaves them with no time for walking, 29% get bored while walking and believe that walking will not have a positive impact on their personality, 21% lack company to walk, and 21% are unaware of the benefits of walking on their mental health, the survey said.
