We all know how good regular exercise is to the body – toned arms and legs, trim tummy and more stamina – but did you know that it can make you happier too? “When we exercise, our body produces endorphins, which some people call ‘happy chemicals’,” explains XX Kuan Shin, consultant clinical psychologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Endorphins mimic the effects of morphine by providing relieve from pain, allowing you to feel calmer at the same time. It’s also one way to build a meaningful routine and gain a sense of purpose in life.
This article was originally published in Her World Malaysia, March 2016.
Yoga is well-known for promoting zen. The slow, controlled movements force you to focus on different parts of your body, in addition to your breathing and surroundings, therefore keeping your mind in the present. Besides better flexibility, a 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that yoga practitioners have lower levels of anxiety. While yoga can be a personal exercise, you should try to practise it in a group as it stimulates the production of oxytocin, the love hormone.
Living in a fast-paced society where everyone’s constantly on edge, it’s great for your mind and body to take a break from the grid once in a while. Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that consists of fluid and graceful movements. A study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine has linked tai chi with happiness, as it’s believed to reduce stress by relaxing your muscles and calming your mind.
If you want to achieve a runner’s high but don’t like sweating, try swimming to get your adrenaline pumping. And like yoga, swimming stretches your body constantly to loosen tight muscles. It’s also a calming and meditative sport, because when you’re underwater, the sound of your breathing and water splashing essentially drowns out all distractions.
The benefits of cycling are vast, which is why even gyms have spinning classes for those who wish to cycle indoors. Researchers at the University of Georgia in Athens found that after a single 30-minute session of stationary cycling, participants reported a boost in their energy levels. Positive electrical changes were also discovered in the participants’ brains, indicating that they were indeed feeling happier after the workout.