Would you believe it? Happiness is a good workout!
And I think most of us who manage to “throw a few shapes” on the gym floor (rather than a dance floor) would agree that, whilst it takes willpower and determination to pull on the trainers, once you’re in the mindset to do some work, it’s a great way to feel better about yourself.
Most of us are aware that exercise isn’t just good for physical well-being, it also helps with our mental health. But did you know that it has actually been medically proven to make us happy?
One direct consequence of exercising is an increase in the production of serotonin, the chemical which keeps your mood in check and affects your feelings of happiness and well-being. And another outcome is a decrease in the hormones which exacerbate stress. That’s enough to make you feel good in itself.
However, I can give you even better news!
Any type of exercise delivers benefits which help lighten your mood and lead to a sense of happiness. Whether it be strength training, aerobic, balance or flexibility… all can contribute to making you happy.
It has also been found that, even if you can only exercise for, say, 10 minutes per week, it can still have an impact on your “happy genes”. But it is fairly obvious that if you can exercise for longer than that and more frequently, then it can make you even happier (and fitter and stronger)!
Some experts have even said that “movement is medicine” (Kevin Gilliland, PsyD, Executive Director of Innovation360 and Ironman triathlete). Because exercise activates regions of the brain and releases hormones and brain chemicals that can improve your mood.
Happily for PTs like me, research has shown that exercising alone can be less beneficial than working out with a friend, in a group or with an instructor! It seems that the social aspect and having someone leading a group provides the encouragement and support that significantly contributes to the enjoyment.
And of course there actually is research which shows that exercise can result in a longer life, reduces incidence of osteoporosis and can improve our memory as we get older. It also can lead to improved diet; apparently exercise makes you want to eat more healthily (something I’m sure most of us would benefit from!).
There’s even a study by John P. Campbell and James E. Turner for the Department for Health, University of Bath in 2018 which concluded that “… leading an active lifestyle is likely to be beneficial, rather than detrimental, to immune function, which may have implications for health and disease in older age”.
Summarising further benefits which research has identified as being delivered by regular exercise, over and above happiness, we are told that exercise improves sleep and boosts energy.
So, now we have confirmation that exercise can make you happy, should I expect to see beaming, smiley faces on my clients at every future session?
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Acknowledgements and sources
7 Ways Exercise Makes You Happy and Improves Mood (insider.com)
How Exercise Affects The Brain & Why It Makes You Happy | mindbodygreen
How Exercise Makes You Happy | AFA Blog (fitnesseducation.edu.au)
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