Exercise therapy for anxiety and depression. 1. Does the evidence justify its recommendation?

Despite the ever-increasing importance placed on exercise in our society today, obtaining sufficient evidence to document its therapeutic role in anxiety and depression has proven to be a formidable task for researchers. A number of studies now provide evidence to justify the recommendation of moderate exercise to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression and to improve overall emotional well-being. For anxious or depressed patients, exercise produces a sense of mastery and control, and the positive effects of being successful in an exercise program spill over into other realms of their life.