Did you ever notice that after you exercise, you’re in a better mood? Do you have friends that are addicted to fitness and are always perky or have a spring in their step?
A new study will get you motivated to get moving this weekend.
According to a new report featured on ScienceDaily.com, “People who are more physically active report greater levels of excitement and enthusiasm than people who are less physically active.”
This report of happy exercisers comes from none other than “Happy Valley.” Penn State researchers conducted the study with 190 student participants with its findings featured in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Each study participant kept an activity diary of leisure time and physical activity level. They were also asked to record their sleep habits. In addition, they kept track of their moods and stress levels.
One result mentioned by study authors showed that, “People also are more likely to report feelings of excitement and enthusiasm on days when they are more physically active than usual.”
Penn State Professor of Kinesiology, David Conroy, says focusing on short-term goals rather then long-term goals, can help with fulfilling your exercise obligations.
"Taking it one day at a time and savoring that feel-good effect at the end of the day might be one step to break it down and get those daily rewards for activity. Doing this could help people be a little more encouraged to stay active and keep up the program they started."
According to MayoClinic.com, one of the reasons for the boost in mood could be endorphins. They reported that exercise “releases these feel-good brain chemicals that may ease depression.”
The Mayo Clinic also said that exercise “reduces immune system chemicals that can worsen depression.” The Mayo Clinic also reported that anxiety, which can sometimes go along with depression, can be controlled with exercise due to “an increase in body temperature, which may have calming effects.”
Happy Valley, or Penn State, researchers’ findings supported the effects of exercise on depression alone.
Conroy was quoted as saying, "Knowing that moderate and vigorous physical activity generates a pleasant-activated feeling, rather than just a pleasant feeling, might help to explain why physical activity is so much more effective for treating depression rather than anxiety."
Conroy said that in the future they will take a more in-depth look at the effects of exercise on mental health. But he goes on to say that in the case of those dealing with anxiety, they “do not need an increase in activation.”
Sources:
“Physical Activity Yields Feelings of Excitement, Enthusiasm– ScienceDaily.com.” Science Daily. Web 16 Feb. 2012.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208132709.htm
“Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms -MayoClinic.com.” The Mayo Clinic.
Web 16 Feb. 2012.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.
Reviewed February 17, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith