Are health and fitness related to happiness?
Despite the popular belief, health and fitness are not synonymous. A healthy diet and regular exercise can make people happy, but they are not necessarily the same thing. Having the correct diet can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. A fitness routine can improve your physical health and mood, boost your immune system and encourage a state of playfulness.
A new study suggests that exercising regularly may lead to more happiness in life. In fact, the researchers found that people who exercised for 30 minutes several days a week were about 30 percent more likely to consider themselves happy than those who did not.
It’s well known that a sedentary lifestyle can take its toll on the body and health, causing a number of problems. In addition to increasing your risk of developing many diseases and lowering your quality of life, a sedentary lifestyle can be extremely depressing.
In their review, the Michigan researchers looked at 23 studies that examined whether people who exercised were more or less happy than those who did not. The studies spanned many years and included a wide range of ethnicities, socioeconomic groups and ages.
The results of the research suggest that physical activity and happiness are linked across all age groups, ranging from adolescents to the elderly. The relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction and happiness was curvilinear, meaning that the effects were more pronounced for those with higher levels of activity.
One of the biggest benefits of exercise is that it can increase social connections, especially when you exercise with others. In a study by Southwestern Methodist University, people who enjoyed exercising with others reported greater joy than those who did not.
Another positive outcome of exercise is that it can improve your sleep. A study in 2010 found that aerobic exercise improves your sleep patterns and helps you feel more alert the next day.
It also boosts your energy, improves your mood and relieves stress. Exercising can even block negative thoughts and distract you from daily worries.
Combined with other coping strategies, exercise can reduce your stress and anxiety. It’s also proven to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can help you avoid certain health problems, including heart disease.
Happiness is a big priority for everyone these days, and exercise can be a great way to make it happen. The key is to find a routine that you enjoy and that helps you accomplish your health and fitness goals.
Workouts that are challenging, or ones that take place outside in a beautiful location can be very motivating and give you the motivation you need to get going. Adding in some friends or family can make workouts more fun, and you’ll be more likely to stick with it long-term.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, or all, days of the week. A few additional exercises, such as swimming or biking, can also add to your happiness and overall health.