A recently compiled study showed that dancing is the most effective exercise for alleviating symptoms of depression. After analysing 218 studies involving over 14,000 participants, researchers found that walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training, were all more effective than medication in easing depression. However, it was dancing that consistently stood out as the best activity for reducing symptoms in all groups. Just how significant were the results? All of the exercises had beneficial effects, but dance was 50% greater than the next best activity. Meanwhile, the SSRI medications that are commonly used to treat depression had “very little clinically important benefit”.