Physical activity has been known to decrease symptoms of both anxiety and depression. As part of treatment, therapists encourage their patients to exercise regularly to avoid experiencing symptoms. However, there is only a limited number of studies that tackle the relationship between physical activity and happiness and contentment.

Regular Physical Exercises Leads to Happiness

Mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, are included in the list of leading causes of disability across the globe. About 40 million adults in the United States are suffering from anxiety, while 1 in every 13 persons worldwide experiences it. According to the World Health Organization, about 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression.

Apart from talk therapy and prescribed medications, regular exercise has been used by therapists to treat both anxiety and depression. People suffering from one of the two conditions gain the following benefits from regular exercise, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America:

- Improved alertness and concentration.

- Enhanced overall cognitive function of the brain.

- Reduced feeling of fatigue or weakness.

- Decreased effects of stress.

- Better mood and less tension.

These benefits occur when the brain releases specific neurotransmitters, particularly endorphins, that act as natural painkillers. And people who suffer from anxiety or depression can easily gain these benefits with a five-minute exercise. According to previous studies, certain types of physical activity like a brisk walk can sustain the benefits for several hours. Vigorous exercise, meanwhile, can reduce the risk of anxiety and depression by 25 percent.

Researchers at the University of Michigan explored a slightly different angle of the relationship between physical activity and mental health conditions. They conducted a study to determine if the effects of physical activity can induce the feelings of happiness and contentment.

They analyzed 23 observational studies that pertained the relationship between happiness and physical activity, and this included health information from thousands of individuals including adults, seniors, teenagers, young children, and even those with illnesses from different parts of the globe. The 15 studies showed both direct and indirect positive association between the two, while the other 8 studies presented inconsistent results.

The studies that showed positive association indicated that active people had higher chances of feeling happy, compared to those who were inactive. People who were insufficiently active had 20 percent higher odds of feeling happy, those sufficiently active had 29 percent higher odds, and those who were very active had 52 percent higher odds.

One of those studies also examined other factors, such as age and weight, which could influence happiness. The study found that youth who had a normal weight and were physically active had 1.4 times higher odds of feeling happier, while youth who were overweight and physically active had 1.5 times the odds.

Another study revealed that teenagers who were physically active for at least twice a week were likely to feel happier than those who were only active for at least once a week or less. For college students, another study revealed that being physically active increased their odds of feeling happy by 1.3 times, compared to those who were not physically active.

Among adults, having consistent physical activity every week led to happier lives. And those who had more time exercising were a lot happier. But the study suggested that some factors, such as health status and social life, can increase and decrease happiness, regardless of physical activity. Those who had illnesses, such as cancer survivors, drug abusers, and children with cerebral, had an increased level of happiness associated with physical exercise.

"Our findings suggest that physical activity frequency and volume are essential factors in the relationship between physical activity and happiness. More importantly, even a small change of physical activity makes a difference in happiness," said Weiyun Chen, the lead author of the study and an associate professor of kinesiology at UMICH.

The researchers clarified that the observational studies were written in English, which could lead to bias and overestimated positive association between physical activity and happiness. They also could not establish the causal relationship between the two due to the limited number of randomized control trials.

Recommended Guidelines for Physical Exercise

People who would want to start an exercise program may consult with a professional to get the best regimen. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults should at least have 2.5 hours of moderate exercise or 1.25 hours of vigorous exercise per week. This can be done easily by dividing it into several activities, such as:

- Three to five times of jogging, biking, walking or dancing activities per week for 30 minutes.

- Walking for 15 to 20 minutes every day that can be done during weekdays.

Remember that consistency is more important than the intensity of the regimen. Studies have shown that frequent exercise brings better results, compared to perfect workouts. If you have difficulties in enjoying an exercise program, find a workout buddy if you are a social person, use a smartphone or a similar device to blast on the music, and select a type of exercise that appeals to your personality.

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