Television Make Depression, Sports Make Happy

Television became a powerful weapon to remove the tedium. But, do not ever make watching television as a daily routine. The reason, a study conducted by Harvard University recently said that watching television too often can increase the risk of depression. 

The researchers found that inactivity can cause a variety of emotional and physical symptoms. Meanwhile, the sport has a positive impact in improving self-confidence, and the levels of endorphins.According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, women who regularly exercise are less likely, about 20 percent, get depressed than those who regularly watch TV. 

In this study, nearly 50 thousand women surveyed every two years from 1992 to 2006. Respondents listed the amount of time spent watching TV each week, they also answer the question how often they are running, biking, running, and swimming for 8 years of research. 

"The high level of activity associated with a lower risk of depression," said lead researcher Michel Lucas, quoted by the Daily Mail. 

At the same time, respondents were asked to report any cases of clinical depression or the medication taken to treat depression. During the analysis, the researchers took into account aspects of health and lifestyle associated with depression, including weight, smoking and other diseases. 

These findings suggest that those who exercise, 90 minutes or more every day, tend to have a small risk to suffer depression than those who only exercise 10 minutes or less. Meanwhile, women who watch TV three hours or more per day have a tendency to 13 percent more likely to be diagnosed depression than those who do not. 

However, Lucas added that this result does not directly prove that watching TV and avoiding too much exercise leads to depression. There may be other factors involved. In a previous study, it is said that physical activity is associated with low risk of depressive symptoms. 

"These findings are further evidence of the importance of the activity increase fiosik to maintain brain health," said Gillian Mead, of Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary.

(lmh/ed.bj)