July Newsletter

Written by: Yonsu Park

Happy July, everyone! We hope you are all enjoying the summer. 

In recent years, more and more researchers have found promising mental health benefits of exercise. Recently, a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine examined over 60 studies about the effect of exercise on mental health. They found that exercise significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, especially aerobic exercise. The positive effect of exercise was similar to that of therapy and medication. 

This study has great implications for our larger community. While mental health is becoming an increasingly serious issue, traditional therapy is inaccessible to many people. Exercise is a great option that can provide significant benefits. Exercise can also be suggested as a possible treatment alternative to medication. For instance, parents may be wary of their children taking psychiatric medication, even if their children suffer from mental health issues. They would be more likely to agree to a treatment plan involving exercise, increasing the chances of retention. 

Overall, this research further consolidates the connection between exercise and mental wellbeing. After learning about this study, we hope you are Psyched to Move!

Study Article: Munro, N. R., Teague, S., Somoray, K., Simpson, A., Budden, T., Jackson, B., Rebar, A., & Dimmock, J. (2026). Effect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic umbrella review with meta-meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, 60(8), 590–599. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2025-110301