By Gabe Sanders PhD, NSCA-CSCS
Feeling anxious or stressed lately?
You're not alone and new research suggests your weekend habits might have more to do with them than you think.
A recent study followed nearly 2,000 young adults working in Helsinki, Finland, over five years. The goal? To see how changes in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), think-walks, workouts, or weekend bike rides, affected mental health. The results were clear: people who consistently stayed active in their free time were significantly less likely to report symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.
In fact, those who remained inactive were twice as likely to report stress and anxiety symptoms. Even those who started active but became inactive saw their risk for anxiety rise. The study adjusted for age, gender, job conditions, and even pre-existing mental health diagnoses, making the link between movement and mood even more convincing.
Sitting and Mental Health
Interestingly, changes in sitting time, how much you’re parked in a chair or on the couch, didn’t show a strong connection to mental health. The key takeaway? It’s not just about sitting less, it’s about moving more, especially during your personal time.
As mental health concerns continue to rise in young adults, this research is a reminder that small lifestyle changes, like sticking to a regular workout routine or prioritizing active hobbies, can have a big impact on how we feel.
The next time you're tempted to skip that walk or cancel that workout, remember, your mental health might just depend on it. Not sure where to start? Aim for just 20–30 minutes of movement a few days a week, something you enjoy, whether it’s dancing, hiking, or a casual jog. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.
Article’s Source
Päivärinne V, Lahti J, Salmela J, Kouvonen A, Lallukka T, Rahkonen O. Changes in Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Sedentary Time and Their Associations With Psychological Distress: An Occupational Cohort Study. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2025;22(5):566-574. doi:10.1123/jpah.2024-0224
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