Even housework will do, according to the study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Previous studies have shown that physical activity is beneficial for mental health, but so far we don't know how much or what. In this study, carried out in Scotland, 20 000 men and women were asked about their mental state and how much physical activity they did. Over 3 000 of the participants were found to suffer from anxiety or stress. Researchers found that almost any form of physical activity lowered stress levels - anything from gardening to housework. However, the strongest effect was seen in those participating in sports, who had a 33% lower risk of stress. A minimum of 20 minutes will do it, but more is better.
