Find out how exercise makes you happy by including more into your day.
Most of us are caught up in day-to-day repetitive activities that we try to complete more efficiently and effectively.
Thus, feeling exhausted and disappointed at the end of the day wishing we had done more and faster.
However, a simple way to change our mood does not require spending extra money, visiting far away places, or making new friends.
There are simple activities that we can include in our everyday life such as mindfulness, compassion, or meditation that will boost our mood.
Let’s find out how exercise makes you happy by changing the chemical reactions in your brain.
How Exercise Impacts Your Mood
Physical exercise stimulates our brain by producing neurotransmitters such as endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and testosterone. Moreover, these hormones make us feel more energetic, calmer and happier after a work out.
According to a recent study, people who exercised had fewer days of poor mental health compared to individuals who did not exercise.
Besides, physical exercise will:
- Increase your muscle strength
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Boost your energy
- Promote a positive mood
Furthermore, it can also get you out of a cycle of negative thoughts that may lead to depression and anxiety.
Research shows that physical activity helps to improve anxiety symptoms.
In addition, you will feel good about your appearance, which improves your self-esteem and a positive mood.
4 Tips to Work Out Regularly
Sometimes it may seem difficult to exercise regularly if we don’t have a routine.
We have a lot of reasons of why it’s so difficult to include exercise into our life such as lack of:
time
money
willpower
support
equipment
motivation
1 – Build a Habit
A good strategy to exercise regularly is to build a habit. At a certain time of the day, after a specific activity, you exercise. For example:
- wake up and go to the gym
- walk the dog after breakfast
- hear a specific ringtone and stretch
- stop by the gym before going home
- go for a walk before lunch
It’s easier to stick to an exercise routine than to make the decision every time that you are going to exercise.
Moreover, you will experience how exercise makes you happy after every workout of at least 30 minutes.
However, habits can become boring.
2 – Keep it Fun
If you feel like you are dragging yourself to your exercise routine and it has become a chore, it may be time to add some variety. Try:
- a different gym, class, or activity
- an exercise buddy
- listening to interesting music/audiobook
- a healthy reward after the work out
Hiking, gardening, dancing, or taking yoga classes are great ways to include more exercise in our life.
3 – Exercise Throughout the Day
Look for ways to include more movement throughout your regular day.
Here are some examples that will immediately increase your blood flow and uplift your mood:
- going for a short walk
- stretching while sitting at your computer
- taking the stairs
- walking around our work area if there isn’t any time to go outside
- going to the farthest restroom
- setting a timer every hour to remember to move
- wearing clothes and shoes that allow us to move freely and frequently
4 – Make it Convenient
What can you do so it will be easier to exercise?
- Some people go to sleep in their gym outfit to jump out of bed and get started
- Keep comfy clothes and shoes handy
- Have a gym bag ready at all time
How Exercise Makes You Happy
Regular exercise and movement not only build your muscles, but also contribute to improve your general mood and well being.
Our body and brain need exercise to be at their best. Moreover, our brain releases hormones such as endorphins when we exercise that create a sense of happiness that we feel during and after physical activity.
Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine combine to relieve both depression and anxiety, which help to keep a positive mood.
If you find your thoughts drifting toward negative or anxious thoughts, include some physical activity and exercise in your day to lift your mood.
How will you include more physical activity and consequently more happiness into your everyday life?
I need to really improve when it comes to exercising since it’s non existent now. I tried doing squats last week and almost died the next day from soreness. I will not give up though.
I get tired and run down on an almost daily basis. I don’t make exercise a priority. The mood and energy benefits alone would be worth it.
That’s so true that being physically active makes us much happier. However, I am still struggling with being regular when it comes to exercising. Hope your tips will make it easier and more fun! 🙂
I love having an exercise routine every morning. One that makes me happy is playing my favorite music whole doing it.
I always find myself having the best days after I exercise. I’m more calm, patient, and less likely to scream at my children for spilling their water for the fifteenth time today.
It’s important to hear often how important it is to work your body out. You only get one.
Exercising truly does release endorphins that make you feel better. I had to take the last 6 months off due to a back injury, and I have definitely felt the difference in my mood, patience and irritability. Just started exercising again this week and already feel less high strung.
I really agree with this post. I go running as much as I can throughout the week and always feel more positive and happy on the the days I do!
I completely agree with you! I have been working out every day and it has helped me a lot, exactly like you said. Thanks a lot for sharing.
This is great advice. I need to get back into working out. I always feel so much better after a workout.
I used to be SO GOOD at exercise and fitness…. but I’ve really gotten out of the habit since I got ill. Hoping to get my health back so I can get back to the gym.
Exercise is such a great source of endorphins! I always know I’ll feel better after I do it, but it’s still so hard to get up and go sometimes! Great points!
Thanks for reiterating this. Many don’t see this side of exercising.. It actually gives you more than the physical effect.
Excercising sure is essential to keep our mind and body refreshed. Thanks for reminding us!!
Thanks for the article. I do exercise every day and it actually keeps me energized throughout the day.
Love this post and this seriously speaks to me as I have been battling the idea of working out although I know that I need to. I am going to go out walking with my daughter this afternoon…. thank you for inspiring me 🙂
It’s so important to keep active. I love your tips on keeping active throughout the day which is really key. Thanks for sharing!
Exercising uplifts mood. I have myself experienced this each time.
Whenever I start my day with exercise, I feel so happy and there is such a strong sense of accomplishment. Exercise is really a key to happiness.
Whenever I get out and exercise, I always feel SO much more mentally alert and awake. Exercise makes a big difference physically AND emotionally.
I’ve just started getting back to the gym and have so much more energy! My mood has improved too!
Staying healthy and fit is very very important! I’ve got a lot of things in this blog post. Thanks for sharing!
These are such great tips for incorporating exercise into our daily routine and I need to make use of them all. You make this easy to do with your comprehensive list!
I need to start exercising again. The hardest part is starting. Thank you for the tips, so useful
Laura
I have recently started walking… not because I want to lose weight, I actually feel great as I am, but just to clear my head. It has really been amazing.
I love physical activity. Ever since I was little I was sporty one so it is a huge part of my life, it is very important to me. I think my way is habit, I just can’t see myself without exercises.
I am a very busy mom and sometimes I intend to forgot to exercise because I rather choose to sleep rather that doing an exercise. Now, I’ve learned that I need to do exercise not only to become physically fit but also mentally fit.
I really need to get in a good routine with exercise, thanks for the article.
I enjoy exercising in the winter months than in the summer months, which helps my mind to get more creative and I feel youthful.
This is definitely some great information on exercising. I like to make sure I have a fun soundtrack playing when I exercise.
True that! Regular exercise and movement definitely contributes to improve our general mood and well being. The best time for me is the morning!
I don’y usually have time to exercise, but whenever I try it really makes me feel happy and something new. Hope I have more time for this.
I need to work out so badly! This is some great encouragement. Thank you!
Yes! Love this! Exercise is so important. After my second baby, I started with about 5 minutes a day right after I got out of bed, and the length/intensity has grown from there. It is so much easier to commit to something small and then increase, instead of starting huge and having to downsize your workout later.