According to a new study, regular exercise can work as effectively as a second medication for those dealing with depression. After four years of research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center participants from 18 to 70 suffering from depression were divided into two groups and exercised for 12 weeks. The two groups had different exercise regimens. At the end of the 12 weeks, almost 30% of patients in both groups had achieved full remission from their depression, and another 20% displayed significant improvement.

"Many people who start on an antidepressant medication feel better after they begin treatment, but they still don't feel completely well or as good as they did before they became depressed," said Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, the study's lead other. "This study shows that exercise can be as effective as adding another medication. Many people would rather use exercise than add another drug, particularly as exercise has a proven positive effect on a person's overall health and well-being."