Everyone knows that regular exercise is good for your physical health, helping to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and strokes.

More recently, studies have shown that regular physical activity can have major benefits for your mental health too. Exercise can help people recover from depression and prevent them from becoming depressed in the first place.

Exercise should be something that you enjoy. if not you will find it hard to find the motivation to do it regularly. Even a 15 minute walk can help you clear your mind and relax. Any exercise is better than none.

Anyone with depression can benefit from doing regular exercise, but it’s especially useful for people with mild depression.

If you’ve been feeling down for more than two weeks, see your GP to discuss your symptoms. They can tell you about the choice of treatment available for depression and help you decide what’s best for you.