The Science Of Exercising For Happiness: Exploring The Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity
Exercise is widely known for its numerous physical benefits, including weight loss, muscle gain, and overall health improvement.
However, the connection between exercise and mental health is also significant.
This article explores the mechanisms behind exercising for happiness and its effects on mental health, backed by medical research and expert sources.
We will also discuss the importance of physical activity and the consequences of its absence on our bodies, mental health, and productivity.
Endorphins and exercise: the feel-good connection
It’s a common belief that exercise releases endorphins, which make us feel good. Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body that can reduce pain and increase pleasure. During exercise, our body releases endorphins that can create a sense of euphoria and well-being (1).
A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that people who exercised regularly had lower levels of anxiety and depression than those who did not exercise (2). Moreover, exercise has been found to be just as effective as medication in treating depression in some cases (3). However, endorphins are not the only chemicals involved in the exercise-happiness connection. Exercise also increases the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters associated with happiness and well-being (4).
Increasing mental strength through exercise
Exercise can improve mental strength by challenging us physically and mentally, which helps build resilience and cope with stress. A study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that regular exercise can improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and processing speed (5). These improvements can result in increased discipline, accountability, and overall productivity.
To increase mental strength through exercise, it is important to challenge ourselves. This can mean trying a new activity or pushing ourselves harder in our current exercise routine. It is also important to have a consistent exercise routine, as regular exercise has been found to have the most significant impact on mental health (6).
Benefits of outdoor exercise
Outdoor exercise has unique benefits in comparison to indoor workouts. Being in nature has been found to reduce stress and improve overall well-being (7). Studies have shown that spending time in nature can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress (8). It can also improve our mood and boost our immune system (9).
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research found that people who exercised outdoors reported greater feelings of revitalisation, increased energy, and positive engagement than those who exercised indoors (10). Outdoor exercise also allows us to connect with our environment, further enhancing the psychological benefits.
The consequences of inactivity
The lack of physical activity in today’s increasingly sedentary society is causing significant bodily changes and mental health issues, leading to decreased productivity, discipline, and accountability. Physical inactivity has been linked to increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes (11). Moreover, a sedentary lifestyle can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression, hinder cognitive function, and decrease self-esteem and motivation (12).
In summary, exercising for happiness has many benefits, including improving mental health, increasing mental strength, reducing stress and managing hormone imbalances. While endorphins play a role in creating a sense of well-being, other chemicals like serotonin and dopamine also contribute to the exercise-happiness connection. Outdoor exercise offers additional benefits, including stress reduction and improved overall well-being. By incorporating regular physical activity and outdoor exercises into our daily lives, we can foster a healthier, happier, and more productive society.
Wondering how our Team can help you on your Journey to becoming the best version of yourself through training?
Just click on the Chat button, or fill in the contact Fform, and our Patient Care Team will give you a call back to discuss your goals within the day.
Sources:
- Boecker, H., Sprenger, T., Spilker, M. E., Henriksen, G., Koppenhoefer, M., Wagner, K. J., … & Tolle, T. R. (2008. The runner’s high: Opioidergic mechanisms in the human brain. Cerebral Cortex, 18(11), 2523-2531.
- Kvam, S., Kleppe, C. L., Nordhus, I. H., & Hovland, A. (2016). Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 77, 42-51.
- Blumenthal, J. A., Babyak, M. A., Doraiswamy, P. M., Watkins, L., Hoffman, B. M., Barbour, K. A., … & Sherwood, A. (2007). Exercise and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Psychosomatic Medicine, 69(7), 587-596.
- Meeusen, R., & De Meirleir, K. (1995). Exercise and brain neurotransmission. Sports Medicine, 20(3), 160-188.
- Chang, Y. K., Labban, J. D., Gapin, J. I., & Etnier, J. L. (2012). The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis. Brain Research, 1453, 87-101.
- Craft, L. L., & Perna, F. M. (2004). The benefits of exercise for the clinically depressed. Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 6(3), 104-111.
- Bowler, D. E., Buyung-Ali, L. M., Knight, T. M., & Pullin, A. S. (2010). A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments. BMC Public Health, 10(1), 456.
- Olafsdottir, G., Cloke, P., & Schulz, A. (2020). Health benefits of walking in nature: A randomized controlled study under conditions of real-life stress. Environment and Behavior, 52(3), 248-274.
- Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9-17.
- Thompson Coon, J., Boddy, K., Stein, K., Whear, R., Barton, J., & Depledge, M. H. (2011). Does participating in physical activity in outdoor natural environments have a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors? A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 21(2), 110-122.
- Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174(6), 801-809.
- Penedo, F. J., & Dahn, J. R. (2005). Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18(2), 189-193.
Keep Reading
Here are 5 steps all of us can take to protect our health
What if the thing your body needs the most, is also the thing that you can’t even dream of?
Don’t be fooled by its harmless-sounding, commonly used name!
The notion that physiotherapy exists to simply serve athletes is a lot like saying that you should only take your car for a service if it’s a Porsche, an Aston Martin or a Bentley. All cars require service and all bodies need physiotherapy.
What on earth could physiotherapy have to do with data, one might wonder? As with most cases in life, there is no clear cut answer. The reason behind the ambiguity? Evolution. Progress. Development.
Isn’t it funny when back pain, shoulder cramps or neck soreness appear “out of nowhere”? You keep doing what you are doing day in and day out and out of the blue, your body “decides” to give out.
Let’s play the word-association game. We say a word, you tell us the first thing that comes to your mind. Ready? Let’s go.
Alternative treatments are often misunderstood. The reason? We are resistant to change. We like tradition, we like what we are used to and when something new comes to the surface, we are quick to dismiss.
Our most recent article on alternative treatment therapies, touched upon the therapeutic benefits of breathing exercises.
Wisdom and knowledge only work when they are shared. At Club Health, we have no inhibitions in sharing physiotherapy tips that will give your body new life.
Stress is one of the most underrated ailments of our generation. The reason? It manifests differently in every human being,
The new year has yet to justify its name as nothing has changed: we are still asked to live locked inside our houses
The name Conor McGregor is synonymous to an entire sport, an entire nation and an entire era in sport and pop culture history.
Raise your hand if you miss the gym! Yeah… we feel you!
Pilates and yoga are two different disciplines which for some reason, people use interchangeably.
What to expect at your first pilates session at Club Health
Do you know what it takes to make, or break a habit? Let us be honest, the answer is not as simple as “21 days”. It’s about having a plan and being disciplined!
Overcome Covid symptoms
Skiing is a thrilling and challenging sport, but it comes with a risk of injuries, especially for those who are new to the sport or push themselves
Exercise is widely known for its numerous physical benefits, including weight loss, muscle gain, and overall health improvement.
Back pain is a common condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
While we age, certain muscle groups tend to become tighter than others. For women over 50, the most common areas of tightness are the hamstrings, hip flexors, feet, chest, and shoulders.
Ramadan is the most sacred month for Muslims, during which they observe a fast from dawn till dusk.
Have you ever witnessed a friend perform a jaw-dropping party trick that seemed like a human anatomical impossibility?
The London Marathon is an annual 26.2-mile endurance race that draws thousands of runners worldwide, from novice to elite athletes.
