When you are having a bad day or are feeling miserable, one of the best things that you can do to boost your happiness levels is exercise.
I know that exercise is probably the last thing that you feel like doing. I know, I’ve been there, but there is a proven link between exercise and the improvement of mood and indeed well-being.
So, there is no harm In giving it a try.
Go out for a 30-minute walk and when you get back, decide if you are happier now, then you were 30 minutes ago…
Chances are you feel better, even if its just a tiny bit.
Next time you feel down, do it again and you will start to physically notice that your mood increases throughout the walk.
How Exercise Works...
This increase in mood is caused by two different reactions that our brain has when we exercise…
(Here come the science bit…)
The first is that exercise releases brain chemical like endorphins and other mood-enhancing chemicals, which happens just a few minutes after you exercise and the effect can last up to 12 hours.
This powerful combination punch can have a really powerful effect on your mood, so even a brisk walk can help increase your mood almost immediately.
To make this work really well, you will want to exercise several times a week, even if it's taking some time on your lunch break to go for a walk, or a quick workout at home before you head out.
Make it Fun
It doesn’t really matter what you do. Just try to find something that you enjoy and can stick with. You might want to start a new craze - like my girls dancing to cat videos…
(I wrote a spoof news article about this actually Breaking News: Everyone is Dancing Like a Cat! Laughter and Fun Make this Fitness Craze a Sure Hit…)
As well as it boosting your mood, regular exercise has lots of other long-term benefits too. It is good for your overall health and can help you get nice and toned, which in turn makes you feel good about yourself.
That added confidence can be a huge happiness booster and remember if possible do at least some of that exercise outdoors.
Putting Exercise into Action
Let’s come up with a list of things that you might enjoy doing today
- Going for a walk each afternoon
- If you don’t have a dog, how about offering to take one for walks sometimes?
- A yoga or pilates class
- Maybe if you feeling more adventurous burlesque dancing or pole dancing
- Badminton, tennis, basketball, football - what ball games do you like
- Copy exercises off a video on YouTube
- Wii Fit (if that’s not obsolete these days already)
It really doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as you make it a goal to get more active. You could plan a group hike for the weekend, go rollerblading with the kids, keep changing it up if you like to keep things spicy.
There are so many fun things to do to get active, so if you don’t what your thing is, be sure to try lots of things. If money is an issue, you’ll be amazed at what you can find on YouTube and also stuff and steps you can make use of around the house.
(Pictures from pixabay.com)
Previous Days
Day 1 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: How Happiness Is A Choice You Can Make Daily
Day 2 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Make Happiness Your Best Friend
Day 3 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Start Your Day With Gratefulness
Day 4 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Start Your Day With Gratefulness
Day 5 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Time to Get Busy...
Day 6 of 30 of the Happiness Challenge: Know Your Onions About Dealing With Stress