Exercise for happiness!

By Mayvers

August 19, 2015

Life is all about balance, we think pure-state peanut butter and exercise go hand in hand. There’s no denying the uprising trend of all things fitness (it’s the new black after all). But exercise isn’t necessarily related to just weight loss- there are so many amazing benefits. It’s often cited as the wonder-drug; it doesn’t just prevent and treat poor mental health but also promotes good mental health. Let’s break down how exercise can make you happy!

1. We know exercising releases endorphins, but what actually happens in our brains?
Thanks to evolutionary survival techniques, the brain actually perceives physical activity as a stress signal, assuming that you’re either using that precious energy to either flee or fight an enemy. So endorphins are released to cope and relieve this highly-unusual-why-oh-why-are-we-moving-our-body-trauma. Essentially endorphins mask the discomfort and produce the euphoria-like effect on the brain (you know when you finallyyyy finish the run and feel like you’re on top of the world? Thank endorphins!). But, there’s also a protein released called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor); it repairs those memory neurons and acts as a reset switch, which is why we feel so clear and at ease after exercising!

2. The happiness boost from just 20 minutes of exercise can last 12 hours
Researchers at the University of Vermont in America, found that only 20 minutes of exercise is needed to for all them happiness gains: including reducing the stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin in the body. Furthermore, those who exercise regularly have overall enhanced happiness daily- even if they don’t exercise that particular day!

3. Physically active people recover from mild depression more quickly
MK McGovern explains in his paper The Effects of Exercise on the Brain,“Depression is related to low levels of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. Exercise increases concentrations of these neurotransmitters by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system…In addition, serotonin has a reciprocal relationship with BDNF… perhaps it is not exercise that has the curative power, but rather BDNF, and exercise is only the trigger.”

4. Is there a way we can harness and maximise the super amazing good feels of exercise?
Yep, there is! So, last year the Australian Health Department doubled their exercise recommendations- for an adult the weekly guideline is 150-300 minutes of exercise per week. Don’t freak out! This is the Government’s response to sedentary behaviour and is more of suggestion to get out of our chairs more during the day- not necessarily signing up to the next high-intensity weight lifting class. Now that we know that the happiness boosts can hit just after 20 minutes of exercise, even a short stroll can be enough to improve your mood – bonus points if it’s outside and you’re getting a revitalising Vitamin D fix. So set yourself up for success and plan what you can do to be more active.

Our favourite tips are: setting your gym clothes out the night before and starting small (preferably in the morning)! That way it’s not too daunting and you have the rest of the day to harness all them good feels!

Check out these healthy recipes below (no nasty ingredients):