Any physical activity that gets you off the couch and moving can help improve your mood,' the Mayo Clinic says.Īnd it doesn't have to be for an hour. But so can physical activity such as gardening, washing your car, walking around the block or engaging in other less intense activities. 'Certainly running, lifting weights, playing basketball and other fitness activities that get your heart pumping can help. The Mayo Clinic, however, says that it's movement that betters our mood, and you don't have to run a 5K to improve your mental state. The overweight and obese may also fear getting hurt physically or being ridiculed when exercising in public even though most manufacturers of exercise clothes - including Nike - have acknowledged that the pursuit of fitness isn't just for the svelte. Fewer than half of Americans get the amount recommended by the CDC. It's difficult to get people who are depressed to exercise,' Gangwisch said.Įven normal-weight people have trouble motivating themselves to exercise. 'When people are depressed, they become tired and lethargic. But ironically, the easiest way to lift your mood is also the hardest when you're overweight or obese.
