Regular exercise has been shown to help boost energy levels and enhance your mood. It may also be associated with many other health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic disease.
1. Exercise can make you feel happier
Exercise has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress.
The authors of a 2019 review found that 10–30 minutesTrusted Source of exercise is enough to improve your mood.
Exercise may increase brain sensitivityTrusted Source to serotonin and norepinephrine. These hormones relieve feelings of depression. It may also increase the production of endorphins, which help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain.
Stopping to exercise may also affect your mood. A 2017 reviewTrusted Source found that active people who stopped exercising regularly experienced significant increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety, even after only a few weeks.
2. Exercise can help with weight management
Inactivity may play a major factorTrusted Source in weight gain and obesity, which may lead to health complications. Exercise can help you manage your weight by helping with energy expenditure, also known as spending.
Your body spends energy in three ways:
digesting food
exercising
maintaining body functions, like your heartbeat and breathing
A reduced calorie intake may lower your metabolic rate, which can temporarily delay weight loss. However, regular exercise may increaseTrusted Source your metabolic rate. This can burn more calories and help you manage your weight.
Combining aerobic exercise with resistance training may also maximize fat lossTrusted Source and muscle mass maintenance. This could help you manage weight, maintain lean muscle, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
1. Exercise can make you feel happier
Exercise has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress.
The authors of a 2019 review found that 10–30 minutesTrusted Source of exercise is enough to improve your mood.
Exercise may increase brain sensitivityTrusted Source to serotonin and norepinephrine. These hormones relieve feelings of depression. It may also increase the production of endorphins, which help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain.
Stopping to exercise may also affect your mood. A 2017 reviewTrusted Source found that active people who stopped exercising regularly experienced significant increases in symptoms of depression and anxiety, even after only a few weeks.
2. Exercise can help with weight management
Inactivity may play a major factorTrusted Source in weight gain and obesity, which may lead to health complications. Exercise can help you manage your weight by helping with energy expenditure, also known as spending.
Your body spends energy in three ways:
digesting food
exercising
maintaining body functions, like your heartbeat and breathing
A reduced calorie intake may lower your metabolic rate, which can temporarily delay weight loss. However, regular exercise may increaseTrusted Source your metabolic rate. This can burn more calories and help you manage your weight.
Combining aerobic exercise with resistance training may also maximize fat lossTrusted Source and muscle mass maintenance. This could help you manage weight, maintain lean muscle, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.