HAPPINESS MOVES

Happiness, movement and good nutrition each affect your body in positive ways. As discussed in the last blog entry from EMPOWERED: The Path of Optimal Health,, caring for your body and a happy disposition offer tangible benefits to your health. However, it’s not just about your arms, abs and arse. When you exercise, you change your physiology and psychology.

So, why do so few people workout on a regular basis? Perhaps the biggest reason is viewing exercise as a chore to be done only to achieve a certain “look.” This inevitably leads to frustration because you either don’t lose the weight or gain the muscle or reach the size you think you must. I know you’ve tried this approach before. I know you know how it ends.

Happy Hormones

You’re probably familiar with some of the endorphins released during exercise. Dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin are all neurotransmitters that deal with feelings of reward, alertness, contentment and wellbeing. They are responsible for the calm and satisfied state you experience after a good workout.

These endorphins also act as a painkiller and a reward system. Exercise, sex, a good meal or anything else, which produces a euphoric feeling stimulates the production of endorphins. The long-term payoff is that your body taps into its homemade stash of good feelings, which act to convince you to do it again.

More importantly, the brain begins to secrete BDNF or brain-derived neurotrophic factor. BDNF is a protein associated with the development of neurons in the brain. That’s good mood news because BDNF has proven effective in reducing depression and anxiety. Exercise also helps you alleviate stress, which contributes to a greater level of happiness. 

Both exercise and happiness lead to increased production of antibodies and T-cells, which are the “good guys” in your immune system. They work to seek and destroy antigens like bacteria and viruses. Even better, once they are created, they stick around in case the “bad guy” antigens show up again. This makes regular exercisers, and all of you happy, shiny people more resistant to disease.

Joy’s Success Story

 One of my group exercise clients, Joy (not her real name), is a walking testament to the positive effects of movement. I met her at a seminar I was teaching at several years ago. Joy had just left an abusive marriage and was raising her two children on her own. Her attendance at an event focusing on positive thinking and health was a really big step for her.

Joy is not one to complain. She acknowledged she was unsure of how to take care of herself. In fact, she had never exercised in her life. However, she was committed to being healthy, so that she might better care for her kids. She knew living in a state of optimal health and energy would make her a better mom.

Perhaps she was inspired by her children. Maybe she felt an inner pull to elevate her life. She could have simply been tired of being tired. Maybe she thought if she jumped, a net would appear. Whatever it was, Joy had found the leverage to transform her life.

Without knowing it she was using the principles in the Make One Change chapter and visualizing perfect health for herself. She was unsure and a little afraid, but her first step was to attend the conference I happened to be working. She knew the risk of not changing was to remain in an unhealthy state of mind and body.

Each morning at the same wellness retreat, there is a group exercise class for everyone in attendance. It’s a fun 30 minutes of movement, laughter and sweat, which sets the tone for the day’s events. Joy spent her first class at the back of the room, but by the last day she was up front with all of her new friends. 

Joy has been exercising for several years now and attends my weekly virtual workouts. It wasn’t easy, but she raised two successful young adults. She has returned to school and is working toward a degree in counseling. Her goal is to share the contentment she has found by caring for herself and others.

Benefits Beyond the Body

Yes, you become more physically fit when you move on a regular basis. Yes, you will feel the effects of the happy hormones. Yes, you will feel a sense of accomplishment, if for no other reason than, “you did it!” Yes!

The fact is, exercise benefits the body and the mind. Moving on a regular basis relieves stress, improves your mood, enhances the quality of sleep, improves cognition and increases your overall level of wellbeing. These building blocks of long-term health are essential to living your best life, which is the whole point.

Keep Moving

Living in a state of optimal health has little to do with looking good at the beach or how many reps you can do. Consistent exercise is an important part of the formula, but so is your mindset. Hold in mind what great health is to you. Make one change at a time. Indulge in movement you enjoy. Challenge your limits by questioning your excuses. You will discover yourself to be greater than you ever imagined.