For adults with depression or anxiety, going to group exercise or group relaxation sessions helps just about the same in reducing symptoms—neither one seems to work better than the other after 12 weeks.

What we've found so far is that group exercise and group relaxation appear to help adults with depression or anxiety symptoms about equally over a 12-week period [1]. Our current analysis shows no clear difference in how much either approach reduces symptoms. We reviewed the available evidence and found that 70.0 assertions support the idea that both group exercise and group relaxation are similarly effective for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults [1]. No assertions we analyzed suggested one was better than the other. This means that, based on what we’ve seen so far, joining a group fitness class—like walking, yoga, or strength training—seems to have about the same impact on mood as participating in a group relaxation program, such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, or guided meditation. It’s important to note that we’re not saying one causes improvement more than the other. We’re only reporting what the evidence we’ve reviewed suggests: both types of group activities seem to help, and neither stands out as more helpful after 12 weeks [1]. Our analysis does not rule out the possibility that certain people might benefit more from one type of program. We also don’t know yet how these results might change over longer periods, or whether combining both approaches could offer added benefit. Since all the assertions we analyzed support equal effectiveness and none refute it, the evidence we’ve reviewed leans toward similar outcomes for both group exercise and group relaxation. Takeaway: If you're dealing with depression or anxiety, joining a group—whether it's for movement or relaxation—might help ease symptoms, and you may not need to choose one over the other based on effectiveness alone.