They are often daydreaming and are prone to depression."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Social psychologist Elizabet T Santosa said that teenagers who engage in less physical exercises or activities are susceptible to depression.
"Youths who exercise less have little chance to socialize. They are often daydreaming and are prone to depression," Elizabet said during a press conference.
On the other hand, young people who do more physical exercises get more time to engage with other people.
"Physical exercise triggers the production of serotonin, the hormone that keeps us calm and relaxed, and endorphin, the hormone that makes us feel good and gives us pleasure," Elizabet noted.
Therefore, she stressed, physical exercises can treat depression in people, as the positive relationship between physical activity and mental health has been well documented following researches that concluded that physical activity has beneficial effects on general mental health.
Workouts and other forms of physical activities can ease the symptoms of anxiety or depression and make a person feel better.
"One hour a day is enough," she added.
Meanwhile, sport medicine specialist Dr Andi Kurniawan revealed that of a sample of 1,000 Junior and High Schools students in Jakarta, around 80 percent were not physically fit.
"It is important that schoolchildren maintain a high level of fitness as it will determine their overall future health development," Andi emphasized.
(Reported by Indriani/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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