Mums can reduce the risk of postnatal depression by exercising - but for HOW long? By KATE PICKLES Published: 00:44 GMT, 8 November 2024 | Updated: 00:57 GMT, 8 November 2024 e-mail View comments New mums should go for walks in the park to slash their chances of developing 'baby blues', a study suggests. Finding time to do an hour or so of gentle to moderate exercise a week could reduce the risk of postnatal depression by almost half. It could also help reduce symptoms among new mothers who have depression or anxiety, researchers found.
Maternal depression and anxiety are relatively common after giving birth, often prompted by major physical and emotional changes associated with pregnancy and giving birth. It can lead to reduced self-care and compromise caregiving and bonding between mother and baby, which can in turn affect the child's cognitive, emotional, and social development. Finding time to do an hour or so of gentle to moderate exercise a week could reduce the risk of postnatal depression by almost half (stock photo) Maternal depression and anxiety are relatively common after giving birth, often prompted by major physical and emotional changes (stock photo) University of Alberta, Canada , researchers examined 35 studies involving more than 4,000 women from 14 different countries.
They found exercising for at least 80 minutes each week could drastically reduce the risk or ease symptoms in those suffering. Read More Grieving husband of mother-of-two who took her own lif.
