20 minutes of daily exercise has been shown to reduce mental health problems.

A new study has revealed that exercising 20 minutes a day five days a week can reduce the risk of depression as well as diabetes and heart disease.

According to a CNN report, citing Diabetes UK, people with diabetes are twice as likely to experience depression. A 2017 study by the University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin found that heart disease patients who suffer from depression have twice the risk of death.

Another study found that 85 percent of people with chronic pain experience severe depression. The most common types of chronic diseases include cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and arthritis, which can affect people for a long time.

According to the study's author, Eamon Laird, people who do not suffer from the aforementioned disorders should do two hours of light and vigorous exercise daily to improve symptoms of depression. Light exercise includes brisk walking, cycling, playing tennis, or stair climbing, while more vigorous exercise includes jogging and running, which can cause shortness of breath and an increased heart rate.

Physical exercise is important for everyone, whether they suffer from heart disease or diabetes. The research, published yesterday in the journal JAMA Network Open, looked at more than 4,000 Irish people with an average age of 61. The individuals, who were part of the Irish Longitudinal Study of Aging, were assessed every two years.

Participants were questioned about their physical activity and exercise and were given tests to determine their level of depression. Based on the tests, those showing more symptoms were classified as having higher levels of depression. They were provided with a questionnaire as part of the screening process.

Questionnaire responses revealed depressive symptoms among participants. Some people report problems with memory, anxiety and insomnia. Those who had experienced depression in the past 12 months were also included in the depression group.

The research concluded that the more time spent exercising, the better the health benefits. People who exercised for 20 minutes a day five days a week had a 16 percent reduction in depressive symptoms and a 43 percent lower risk of depression than those who didn't exercise.

Additionally, those who exercised two hours a day had a 23 percent reduction in depressive symptoms. The more time we spend on physical activity, the better our mental health will be, which will have significant benefits.