Evidence for anxiety , psychological stress , psychological well-being , subjective well-being and social isolation and loneliness varied in volume and effectiveness , but no harmful effects were identified .
The setting and context of walking seems to be important variables .
Background / objectives Walking has well-established positive relationships with , and effects on , physical health .
In contrast , while poor mental health contributes substantially to global health burden , an overview of the benefits from walking has not previously been published .
We aim ed to scope the literature and present what is known , and highlight what is not known , about walking and mental health .
Effects of yoga versus walking on mood, anxiety, and brain GABA levels: a randomized controlled MRS study.
OBJECTIVES Yoga and exercise have beneficial effects on  mood and anxiety .  γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic activity is reduced in mood and anxiety disorders . The practice of yoga postures is associated with increased brain GABA levels . This study addresses the question of whether changes in mood , anxiety , and GABA levels are specific to yoga or related to physical activity . METHODS Healthy subjects with no significant medical/psychiatric disorders were r and omized to yoga or a metabolically matched walking intervention for 60 minutes 3 times a week for 12 weeks . Mood and anxiety scales were taken at weeks 0 , 4 , 8 , 12 , and before each magnetic resonance spectroscopy scan . Scan 1 was at baseline . Scan 2 , obtained after the 12-week intervention , was followed by a 60-minute yoga or walking intervention , which was immediately followed by Scan 3 . RESULTS The  yoga subjects ( n = 19 ) reported greater improvement in mood and greater decreases in anxiety than the walking group ( n = 15 ) . There were positive correlations between improved mood and decreased anxiety and thalamic GABA levels . The yoga group had positive correlations between changes in mood scales and changes in GABA levels . CONCLUSIONS The 12-week yoga intervention was associated with greater improvements in mood and anxiety than a metabolically matched walking exercise . This is the first study to demonstrate that increased thalamic GABA levels are associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety . It is also the first time that a behavioral intervention ( i.e. , yoga postures ) has been associated with a positive correlation between acute increases in thalamic GABA levels and improvements in mood and anxiety scales . Given that pharmacologic agents that increase the activity of the GABA system are prescribed to improve mood and decrease anxiety , the reported correlations are in the expected direction . The possible role of GABA in mediating the beneficial effects of yoga  on mood and anxiety warrants further study
Evidence for anxiety , psychological stress , psychological well-being , subjective well-being and social isolation and loneliness varied in volume and effectiveness , but no harmful effects were identified .
The setting and context of walking seems to be important variables .
Background / objectives Walking has well-established positive relationships with , and effects on , physical health .
In contrast , while poor mental health contributes substantially to global health burden , an overview of the benefits from walking has not previously been published .
We aim ed to scope the literature and present what is known , and highlight what is not known , about walking and mental health .