5 Ways Exercise Makes You Happier
- Natural mood boost: It has been shown that regular exercise can treat depression as effectively as most anti-depressant medications. How so? Exercise releases endorphins (the feel-good hormone) and spikes brain activity that is believed to be directly related to positive moods and rewarding feelings. In fact, studies have shown that regular exercise programs have longer-lasting effects on alleviating depression than medication.
- Reduce anxiety: Exercise also acts as a natural muscle relaxant, which can release pent up tension in areas such as your neck and shoulders - an area where many people hold stress. Reducing this tension can actually lessen feelings of anxiety that we associate with manifested physical stress.
- Sleep better: Insomnia affects about 1 in 3 people, and even if the effect is minor it can have major consequences for your mental health. Exercise is a natural and effective way to defeat those nights lying awake in bed. The more active you stay throughout the day, the better you'll be able to sleep at night.
- Improve your focus: Another surprising benefit is that exercise has a huge impact on the efficacy of your memory and concentration skills. The release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, all play a part in retaining information and improving focus.
- Benefit your long-term mental health: Unfortunately as we age, our cognitive abilities begin to lessen, and can accelerate into more serious issues such as dementia and Alzheimer's. However there are ways we can reduce our likelihood of developing these diseases - exercise is one of them. Keeping our blood-flow strong and regulating the release of neurotransmitters keeps your mind active and helps to ward off potential illness.
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