The research is clear: exercise boosts your mood and happiness. From endorphins to happiness hormones, there are a variety of reasons why exercising regularly can make your life brighter and sunnier.
The most obvious and immediate reason why exercise makes you happy is endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals naturally released when engaging in physical activity like exercise. These hormones act as natural pain killers and have been found to reduce stress and boost your overall sense of happiness. With regular exercise, you’ll get a continuous infusion of those feel-good chemicals and the effects last long after you’ve stopped working out.
Exercise also releases other happiness hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is your body’s natural reward chemical and it encourages activities that bring you pleasure. Regularly exercising also encourages your body to release serotonin, which is an important hormone for regulating your moods and improving your emotions.
In addition to the release of these hormones, exercise also boosts your self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. Exercise is hard work and it takes dedication to stay consistent. Each time you stay on task and complete a workout regimen, you’ll give yourself a pat on the back and walk away feeling accomplished – and that feels fantastic!
Finally, exercising on a regular basis helps you stay connected with others. As a social species, humans need to connect with others in order to feel happy and secure. Exercise provides you the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals who will help keep you motivated, push you further, and provide a sense of community.
The research is undeniable: exercise makes you happy. Each time you break a sweat, your body will be flooded with a variety of happiness hormones that will leave you feeling elated and energized. So don’t just sit there – get up and move and re-energize your life!
