Walking is the most effective anti-depressant

In line with the theme of World Health Day 2017- Depression - Max Bupa has unveiled the findings of its intercity consumer survey, Max Bupa Walk for Health. The fourth edition of the Max Bupa Walk For Health Survey reveals a strong correlation between walking and depression.

According to the Survey, 97 per cent of Indians who walk regularly, experience improvement in their mental and emotional health. Max Bupa Walk for Health Survey is a first of its kind study on walking behaviour of Millennials and Elderly carried across 4 cities, namely, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Jaipur.

Max Bupa Walk for Health Survey also reveals that walking helps control stress among people across age groups. While 42 per cent of the elderly feel that walking helps beat stress, 50 per cent of the millennials experience reduction of stress and hypertension, post walking.

This is the highest for millennials in Bangalore at 68 per cent, followed by Delhi (66 per cent) Mumbai (53 per cent) and Jaipur (48 per cent). Interestingly, over 40 per cent of the respondents are motivated to walk because of interesting walking apps and gadgets that help them track their health.

The survey further reveals that those who don’t walk regularly are more prone to depression - nearly 15 per cent of non-walkers admitted to be suffering from depression and high stress levels.

Amongst the depressed patients those who walk regularly, 59 per cent say they forget about their illness while walking, 50 per cent walk to break the monotony of daily life, 39 per cent feel walking makes them happier, while 26 per cent walk to improve their work-life balance. Walking gives 19 per cent millennials time for self-introspection, while it gives 21 per cent elderly the feeling of self-reliance.

Walking helps patients with Depression interact with other people outside their house; interestingly this percentage was higher for millennials (20 per cent) as compared to the elderly (12 per cent).

The survey also states multiple barriers that stop patients with Depression from talking up walking as an exercise. 43 per cent of them are unable to walk as long daily commute leaves them with no time for walking, 29 per cent get bored while walking and believe that walking will not have a positive impact on their personality, 21 per cent lack company to walk, and 21 per cent are unaware of benefits of walking on their mental health.

Ashish Mehrotra, Managing Director & CEO, Max Bupa, said “Depression and failing mental health are key health issues in today’s fast-paced and stress-prone life. Millennials from the younger generation are more prone to mental ailments owing to shrinking emotional support and workplace pressure.

Max Bupa Walk for Health Survey 2017 points that while 98 per cent people walk to improve their physical appearance, 80 per cent enjoy walking as it helps in enhancing one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. People are realizing that walking not only benefits them physically but also boosts their mental and emotional health.

However, 30 per cent Indians still lack the motivation to walk. Through our Max Bupa Walk for Health initiative, we endeavor to motivate more and more Indians to enhance their overall health and wellbeing by incorporating walking into their daily schedule.”

“Through Max Bupa Walk for Health, our aim is to sensitize people about the multiple benefits of walking. The Max Bupa Walk for Health Survey is a testament of people reaping multiple benefits from walking which include increased productivity at work (45 per cent), improved energy levels (36 per cent) and increased motivation (31 per cent).

We hope more and more people understand the importance of walking for a healthier, more successful life,” added Anika Agarwal, Head, Marketing, Max Bupa.