Numerous health advantages of exercise can contribute to a happier, healthier life.
No matter if you’re working on your flexibility and balance, strength training, or cardio, it doesn’t matter.
All forms of exercise have advantages that can improve your mood.
Many studies have been conducted on the effects of exercise.
Research shows a positive relationship between fitness and aspects like longevity, nutrition, emotions, and self-esteem, all of which have an impact on your general level of happiness in different ways.
Learn more about how adopting a physically active lifestyle might make you happier.
How exercise improves your mood .
Numerous studies demonstrate a connection between exercise and mood.
For instance, exercise can help avoid depression and may even be as effective as pharmaceuticals in treating major depressive disorder (MDD).
Additionally, you can see a difference with little to no exercise.
According to a 2018 review, people can feel happier with as little as 10 minutes of exercise per week.
But more exercise is better, and studies have shown that getting more exercise makes people happier.
A further pleasure boost could come from exercising outside.
A 2013 study, for instance, found that exercising outside boosts mood and self-esteem while lowering stress, rage, and melancholy.
Exercise is not a magic bullet for happiness, warns Ironman triathlete and Innovation360 Executive Director Kevin Gilliland, PsyD.
However, he adds, “we could still need to use other helpful things like medicine, counseling, spirituality, and encouraging communities. It can and should assist our mood and anxiety.”
Here are six other health advantages of exercise, in addition to mood enhancement, that might make you smile:
You live longer if you exercise.
Numerous studies point to a connection between exercise and lifespan and speculate that living longer may lead to greater happiness.
For instance, studies have shown that exercise enhances longevity in the elderly due to better cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, some malignancies, and their occurrence.
What could be bad about living longer?
In the end, living a longer life gives you more time to complete tasks and initiatives, such as starting new occupations.
Additionally, you’ll have more time to spend with loved ones, particularly your children and grandchildren.
You maintain a strong immune system through exercising.
You’re less likely to get sick the healthier your immune system is.
It’s safe to say that improving your immune system can make you happy because being healthy generally makes us happier, and exercising can help with that.
But you’ll have to develop the habit.
According to a review published in 2018, regular exercise that lasts at least 45 minutes each time can help keep your immune system strong as you age.
Healthier eating is encouraged by exercise.
While studies have shown that eating healthier makes you happier, it also makes sense: You undoubtedly feel happy knowing that you’re taking good care of your body, and when you feed it healthier food and beverages, your body feels and functions better.
But it might be challenging to stay motivated to eat well.
What could provide you with that extra push?
That’s right, exercise.
According to Michael Knudsen, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with M Health Fairview and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, “Patients tend to be more conscious in other areas, like eating healthier, when they start incorporating healthy habits like exercise into their lives.”
A 2015 study found that beginning or maintaining exercise improved both men’s and women’s consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Similar findings were discovered in a 2019 study where participants in a 15-week fitness program were more likely to voluntarily chose healthier foods when they were previously sedentary.
Exercise gives you more energy.
When you’re worn out, it’s difficult to feel happy.
However, when you’re in a good mood, you could become thrilled about even routine tasks like organizing your closet.
Physically active persons have greater energy and experience less fatigue, according to research.
Knudsen asserts that his patients, especially those who were sedentary, “have a little more pep in their step and feel more energetic throughout the day when they participate in more movement.”
