Exercise may make you happier than money. This is according to a Yale and Oxford Study. The researchers collected data about physical activity and the mental mood of 1.2 million Americans. There were two groups of questions asked to participants: Firstly, “How many times have you felt mentally unwell in the past days, due to stress, depression or emotional problems?”. Secondly, they were asked about their income and physical activities.
People Who Exercise Tend To Be Happier.
There were two unique findings of people who exercised regularly. Firstly, the researchers found that on average people who exercise feel bad for 35 days in a year. People who do not exercise felt bad for 53 days, the difference is 18 days. Secondly, people who exercise felt as good as people who do not do any sports but earn $25 000 more a year. The study shows that physical activity may make you happy. You need to earn plenty of money to receive the same happiness which comes from exercising.
Too Much Exercise Impacts Your Mental Health.
We have established that exercise is good. However, too much of a good thing can be bad. The study also found that the ideal exercise time is between 30 to 60 minutes a day, three to five times a week. When people exercise more than this it can have detrimental consequences. The mental health of people who exercised more than three hours a day suffered more than those who are not active.
World Health Organisation (WHO) echoes the same findings. Adults (aged 18-64) need to take part in physical activity such as walking, cycling, sports, and household activities to reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases and depression. WHO recommends the exercise activities should be 150 minutes of moderate-to-intensity and 75 minutes vigorous aerobic activities in a week.
Social Workouts Are Better Than Individual Sports.
Physical activity which involves more people is the best. When exercising is mixed with social interactions it can a positive effect on your mental health. The researchers found that team sports are better than individual sports such as aerobic and gym activities. I have seen this first-hand with the #90DaysWithoutSugar Community online. People who work out together and even have virtual accountability partners finish the course. Accountability is not a quick-fix hack, people need to own their weight loss journey. Accountability can be a great environment to join likeminded people who are headed in the same direction.
Why Does Exercise Make Us Happy?
It Reduces Depression.
Exercise increases endorphins. It also increases brain chemicals such as dopamine, adrenaline, and endocannabinoid which make us feel happy. Exercise is as effective as drugs in some cases. This was revealed in a Harvard study. A low-intensity workout that is sustained over long periods releases proteins called neurotrophic, which cause nerve cells to grow and make new connections. These connections help to regulate your mood and relieve depression.
It Increases Our Confidence.
Setting new goals to workout, achieving them, and reaching new heights impacts your self-esteem. Stephen Covey says committing to small goals such as waking up at the same time daily increases your internal integrity. When our actions align will our internal integrity we like ourselves more, this makes us happy. Overcoming small challenges such as running a full 5 kilometers for the first time boost your confidence. When your body does something you never thought you could do, a mental barrier is broken.
It Affects Our Mental Health.
The University of Vermont found that just 20 minutes of exercise can boost someone’s mood for up to 12 hours. Exercise reduces levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. When you take part in moderate exercise your mood will improve and make you happier. Making exercise a part of your lifestyle will make you feel more energetic and engaged!
In our modern world where we do most of our work sitting down, exercising has become essential. We spend most of our day sitting at work, in front of our TVs or when we are socializing. Some publications have compared sitting for long periods of time to being as bad as smoking. This claim has not been scientifically proven. However, according to Healthy People 2020, 36% of adults do not engage in any leisure-time physical activity. Lack of exercise accounts for 22% of coronary heart disease, 22% of colon cancer, 12% of diabetes, and hypertension. If we make exercise a lifestyle, we will not only save the government’s healthcare expenditure, but we will be happier. In my view, regular exercise is a win-win situation.