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EXERCISE MAKES HAPPINESS: The Lost Skill

4 min read |

The Power of Movement

Have you ever felt that post-workout high? That feeling of euphoria that comes after a good sweat session? It’s no coincidence. Exercise has been shown to have a powerful impact on our mental and emotional well-being, yet it’s often overlooked as a tool for happiness.

A man smiling from a workout

Think of your body as a machine, with exercise as the oil that keeps everything running smoothly. When we move our bodies, we release endorphins, those magical little chemicals that make us feel good. Endorphins act like a natural painkiller, reducing stress and anxiety and increasing feelings of happiness and well-being.

But the benefits of exercise go beyond just endorphins. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and boost self-esteem. Exercise is like a magic pill for our mental health, yet it’s one that’s often overlooked or dismissed as unimportant.

The Mind-Body Connection

But why is exercise so effective at improving our mental and emotional well-being? The answer lies in the mind-body connection. Our bodies and minds are interconnected, with each affecting the other in profound ways.

When we exercise, we not only release endorphins, but we also engage in a form of mindfulness. We become more aware of our bodies and our breath, and we tune out the distractions of the outside world. This mindfulness can have a powerful impact on our mental and emotional well-being, reducing stress and anxiety and improving our overall sense of calm and contentment.

But it’s not just mindfulness that makes exercise so effective at improving our mental health. Exercise also has a powerful impact on our brain chemistry. It has been shown to increase the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are crucial for regulating our mood and emotions.

Moving Toward Happiness

So how can we use exercise to improve our happiness and well-being? The key is to find a form of exercise that we enjoy and that we can stick to. It doesn’t have to be running marathons or lifting heavy weights; even gentle forms of exercise like walking or yoga can have powerful benefits for our mental health.

It’s also important to remember that exercise is not a one-time fix for our mental and emotional well-being. It’s something that we need to incorporate into our daily lives, like brushing our teeth or eating healthy food. Consistency is key when it comes to reaping the benefits of exercise for our mental health.

The Joy of Movement

In conclusion, exercise is a powerful tool for improving our happiness and well-being, yet it’s often overlooked or dismissed as unimportant. When we move our bodies, we engage in a form of mindfulness that can reduce stress and anxiety and improve our overall sense of calm and contentment. Exercise also has a powerful impact on our brain chemistry, increasing the production of neurotransmitters that are crucial for regulating our mood and emotions. So let’s embrace the joy of movement, and use exercise as a tool for improving our mental and emotional well-being.

scientific papers that support the idea that exercise has a positive impact on happiness and well-being:

  1. Craft, L. L., & Perna, F. M. (2004). The benefits of exercise for the clinically depressed. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry, 6(3), 104-111.
  2. Rethorst, C. D., & Trivedi, M. H. (2013). Evidence-based recommendations for the prescription of exercise for major depressive disorder. Journal of psychiatric practice, 19(3), 204-212.
  3. Haskell, W. L., Lee, I. M., Pate, R. R., Powell, K. E., Blair, S. N., Franklin, B. A., … & Bauman, A. (2007). Physical activity and public health: updated recommendation for adults from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Circulation, 116(9), 1081-1093.
  4. Park, C. L., & Adler, N. E. (2003). Coping style as a predictor of health and well-being across the first year of medical school. Health psychology, 22(6), 627.
  5. Strawbridge, W. J., Deleger, S., Roberts, R. E., & Kaplan, G. A. (2002). Physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. American journal of epidemiology, 156(4), 328-334.