Research from the Trimbos Institute underscores how exercise benefits both body and mind.
The study shows that people who exercise are 50 percent less likely to develop mental health disorders—such as depression, phobias, anxiety disorders, and alcohol addiction—than sedentary individuals who opt for the couch over activity.
Exercise also supports faster recovery from such disorders. Those with a recent mental disorder who stay active recover one and a half times more often after three years compared to non-exercisers.
Researchers emphasize that one to three hours of exercise per week delivers these benefits. The Trimbos Institute recommends governments allocate more subsidies for sports programs aimed at those vulnerable to mental health issues.
