Yes, a few times. Didnt make the slightest difference though, it almost never does. Such is life. Still, at least others viewing the discussion who were on the fence/ unsure will have been presented with the evidence needed to convince them

Especially if the depression/ anxiety has an external cause (job, living situation, money, relationship issues etc etc). Exercie may help manage it a bit but the only cure is to deal with the cause

I started swimming while I was in the depth of depression (induced by external factors) and yes it did help manage the depression, but didnt solve it. What solved it was leaving my alcoholic ex and getting control back over my life.

I have continued swimming and I also do a lot of cycling as well as some hiking/tramping and the ocassional bit of mountain climbing, and they do help with managing stress and mental health but they are no longer the primary reason I do them. The health benefits I get from exercise are mostly physical but those benefits also play into making me feel better about life too.