Pump Up to Cheer Up

Sometimes all it takes to dump the doldrums is a quick walk or slow
jog outdoors—and there's plenty of research to prove it.

Especially for older adults suffering from depression, getting the
body moving helps the mind feel better. The National Institute of Mental
Health estimates that 6% of Americans aged 65 or older experience some
form of depression. Encouragingly, a review of 32 studies in the Journal
of Aging and Physical Activity suggests that physical activity,
especially when it includes weight training, can improve a person's
mood.

Low-intensity exercise that includes weightlifting improves the
overall mood of older adults even more than just aerobic exercise, says
Shawn Arent, a researcher from Arizona State University. "Adults aged 65
and older who exercised were not only happier, but had more overall vigor
and calmness" he says.

It's never too late to start, Arent says. In fact, individuals who
introduced moderate activity to their formerly inactive lifestyles
noticed the most pronounced benefits. Arent recommends checking with a
doctor before starting a work out program, and says that though getting
out of a rut of inactivity might seem daunting, the results are worth it.
"It doesn't have to be intense exercise," he points out. "Just get
active, do something"