5 Reasons Working Out Makes You Happier & Stress-Free
There's more to exercise than just weight loss or sculpting your figure—see 5 reasons why exercise is important for mental health too.
Updated December 13, 2022.
In addition to helping you lose weight and attain a shapely figure, exercise is extremely important for physical and mental health too. Take a look at five reasons why working out helps you feel happier and stress-free.
1. It Releases Mood-Boosting Chemicals In Your Body
Irrespective of its duration or intensity, exercise can improve your mood. Studies suggest exercise increases the sensitivity to the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which in turn reduces anxiety, depression, and stress. Exercise also boosts endorphin production—this is your happy hormone that reduces your perception of pain and produces positive feelings.
» How long do endorphins last after exercise? Find out here
2. It Increases Your Energy
Aerobic exercises improve lung and heart health. If you're not used to exercising, you may feel tired when you work out for a short time, but once you start exercising regularly, your energy levels will improve. Researchers have found that even people complaining of persistent fatigue report more energy and reduced fatigue after exercising regularly for 6 weeks.
3. It Strengthens Your Immune System
Exercise strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation. As the heart pumps harder, it increases the rate at which antibodies circulate throughout the body. Your lymphatic system is also able to drain your body's waste more efficiently, in addition to your body flushing out fat.
» Learn whether water helps in flushing out fat from the body
4. You Sleep Better
Studies have proven that regular exercise helps you sleep better. The energy you use up while doing squats, sit-ups, or other types of exercise stimulates restorative sleep. Your body temperature rises during exercise, and your sleep quality improves as the body temperature drops.
5. It Improves Your Confidence
One of the reasons why programs like the One and Done Workout really work is that they boost your confidence. As you lose weight and your energy levels increase through exercise, you start gaining more confidence in yourself, which leads to looking more positive and radiant.
Work Out for a Happier Life
Overall, active people seem significantly happier than those who don't work out, while inactive people tend to get more depressed. Our bodies need action to get the blood pumping, boost immunity, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and enhance our resilience. Exercise also stimulates the release of mood-lifting hormones, decreasing our stress levels and offering us more energy to face life with a radiant smile on our faces.
» Reduce your stress levels through exercise with the One and Done Workout