Are you a member of a gym? Do you run every morning? Do you have some free weights at home?
When you are having a difficult day, or are feeling down, the best way to increase your happiness, may be to exercise. There is a strong link between exercise and an improvement in mood and well-being. Give it a try. Go for a 30-minute walk whenever you are feeling depressed and unhappy. You will notice your mood starting to increase throughout the walk. As you get back, you may notice that you’ve feeling even happier.
This increase of happiness and wellbeing after exercise is caused by two different mechanisms in our body. The first is that exercise causes the release of brain chemicals like endorphins and other mood enhancers. This happens just a few minutes after you work out and the effect can last for a good 12 hours. The second part to the equation is that exercise also helps reduce the levels of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in the body. That means you will instantly feel less stressed. This one-two punch can have a powerful effect on how you feel. Something as simple as a brisk walk can help you feel better almost immediately.
For best results you want to exercise a few times per week. Take some time during your lunch break to go for a walk, or work a quick workout in before you head to work in the morning. It does not matter what you do if you start moving around and get that blood pumping. Pick activities you enjoy that you will stick with.
In addition to the everyday mood booster you get from exercising regularly, there are quite a few additional long-term benefits. Exercise is good for your health and you will start to get fitter and even slimmer and more toned if you stick with it. This in turn will improve how you feel and how you feel about yourself. That added confidence can be a great additional mood booster.
For best results, try to get as much exercise as you can outside. Fresh air and sunshine add to a feeling of wellbeing. Produce some simple things you can start doing right now. Maybe it is going for a walk each afternoon. Maybe it is taking up jogging. Maybe it is signing up for a yoga or Pilate’s class at your local community centre, or maybe it is joining a basketball team. It does not matter what you choose to do if you make it a goal to get more active and move around. Switch it up and plan a group hike for the weekend, or dust off your bike. There is a lot of fun ways to move around and enjoy the world around you.
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