Healthy body, healthy mind! A 15-minute exercise break is as effective at improving wellbeing as a wellness retreat

A simple 15-minute exercise break is as effective at improving mental wellbeing as a wellness retreat, according to research.

Whether it is just a short walk, dance or a workout at home, experts say that people will experience an improved mood.

A survey which quizzed 10,000 people who had recently been on a wellness retreat found that 71 per cent said daily movement was more effective at reducing stress than their expensive holiday.

This comes as the demand for wellness retreats – that cost upwards of £1,000 on average – have surged by 33 per cent in the past year alone.

Experts though believe short, consistent daily exercise is more beneficial than the fad holidays.

Despite this, NHS data shows that a quarter of people do less than half an hour of exercise a week.

Research shows that the reason even a short period of exercise can have an impact on wellbeing is because of the release of neurotransmitters – chemical messengers that help regulate mood, reduce anxiety and enhance resilience to stress.

Last year, a study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) revealed that regular 15-minute periods of exercise also reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by 27 per cent.

Dr Brendon Stubbs, a researcher at King’s College London who ran the survey by sportswear brand ASICS, said: ‘It’s incredible to see the impact that 15 minutes of movement can have on mental wellbeing.

It shows that any level of exercise, from a lunchtime walk to playing padel, is beneficial as long as it is consistent.

‘When it comes to the benefit of exercise on wellbeing, what the research shows is that there is an increasing improvement in reported mood up until an hour of daily movement.

‘What is important is that 15 minutes is a low barrier to entry, but we still see an improvement in mental wellbeing – and it does not need to be overly strenuous to have that effect.’

Dr Stubbs added: ‘There is also an added benefit to your mood if you are able to do the activity outside and if you are able to do it with a friend.’