Need more happiness? Exercise is the key!

Exercise and Happiness

My grandmother started walking 5 miles a day when she was 60.  She's 97 now, and we don't know where the heck she is.  -Ellen DeGeneres

It's not news that getting regular physical exercise is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.  It keeps us fit, prevents chronic disease, and extends life.  Nearly every day, there are headlines reminding us of its long-term benefits.

But as it turns out, this emphasis on long-term benefits doesn't provide motivation for most of us to actually go out and get the regular exercise we need.  When we weigh the immediate, concrete inconvenience and discomfort of getting up and exercising right now against the future, somewhat-less-than-100-percent-certain health problems of staying put, the short term wins all too often.  It's just the way we're wired.

Exercise and mood: the immediate payoff

That's why the research on exercise and mood is such good news.  The fact is that we don't have to wait for better heart health or longer lives to benefit from exercise.  Working up a sweat is almost certain to make us feel happier right away.

In fact, exercise is one of the most reliable ways to feel good and to sustain that good feeling.  Here's why:

More of the good stuff

Exercise stimulates the brain to release endorphins, chemicals commonly referred to as pleasure hormones. These are the same hormones that are released when we do something we love to do and they make us feel happy. So even if we don't always enjoy the exercise itself, our endorphin-loving brains make sure we feel great about doing it.

Less of the bad stuff

In addition to stimulating the release of endorphins, exercise also burns cortisol, a chemical often referred to as the stress hormone.  Our bodies produce cortisol when we're angry, anxious, or afraid.  Exercise is one of the most effective ways to overcome the effects of cortisol and calm back down.

Positive distraction

When we're stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts or worries, exercise can get our minds off our problems and encourage us to think more broadly about our lives, often leading us to new ideas and solutions.

More confidence

Setting and meeting challenges, no matter how small, makes us feel good about ourselves.  Exercise almost always gives us an immediate sense of accomplishment that can really give a lift to our day.

Finding the time to reap the rewards

Okay, so exercise is going to make us healthier and happier.  But what if we don't have time to do it?  How can we get all those great benefits if we're just too busy to squeeze it in?

Well, it turns out that exercising makes us more productive and efficient, too - so much so that it more than makes up for the time it takes out of our days.

On days when we exercise, we use our time more efficiently, are mentally sharper and more motivated to work, and are more likely to complete what we set out to do.  So no matter how busy we are, it seems that we really do have time to get the emotional and physical benefits of exercise.

And if the prospect of a healthier future isn't always enough to get us out the door, maybe the prospect of a happier day today will do the trick!

Author: Lynda Wallace, Certified Positive Psychology Coach, Montclair, NJ