Exercise makes you happy

According to this website regular physical activity:

• helps the circulatory system deliver oxygen and nutrients around the body
• helps the removal of toxins and waste products from your body
• improves the condition of your skin
• reduces the rate of bone loss, the risk of heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes
• alleviates feelings of depression and anxiety
• controls weight
• builds and maintain strong and healthy bones, muscles and joints.

A Study published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise took 40 participants who were diagnosed with some form of depressive disorder, but were not taking any antidepressants and divided them in 2 groups. One group rested while the other walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes. Surveys taken after indicated that the group that exercised expressed increased good feelings such as ‘vigour’ or ‘well-being’.

Exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins – chemical substances produced by the body that make you feel happy and exhilarated. So exercise is not only good for you, but it makes you feel happy.

An article written by Christine Bailey in BikeRadar.com says:

Happy chemicals

Studies have isolated the chemicals affected by exercise that can put us in a better mood, but what are they and how can you boost your intake?

Serotonin: Serotonin is the mood neurotransmitter which keeps us emotionally and socially stable. Levels rise during exercise, boosting self-confidence and positive feelings. Serotonin is produced from tryptophan that is found in bananas, granola, cottage cheese, duck, turkey, chicken, oats, seeds, pasta and baked potatoes, and vitamins B6 and B12 which are found in oily fish like salmon, trout, herring and mackerel.

Dopamine: Dopamine is a major feel-good neurotransmitter, essential to helping us feel energised and motivated. One study into how exercise alters the activity of dopamine found that after 12 weeks of endurance or interval-based training the activity of dopamine receptors in the brain increased, meaning the production of feelings of motivation were also amplified. Protein-rich foods such as meat, milk, fish, beans and soya beans help produce dopamine, as do theobromine and phenylethylamine, both found in chocolate.

Phenylethylamine: Phenylethylamine is a naturally occurring neurotransmitting chemical found in the brain. It occurs through the microbial fermenting of food and works as a mood-enhancing stimulant that aids the production of dopamine. It raises blood pressure and blood glucose levels which make us feel more alert and content. Foods such as yellow cheeses, citrus fruits, red wine and chocolate are good sources, giving you a great excuse to indulge yourself (a little)….