RESEARCH FINDS THAT EXERCISE CAN INCREASE HAPPINESS!
RESEARCH FINDS THAT EXERCISE CAN INCREASE HAPPINESS!
By Elizabeth Campisi and Tara Troy, M.D.
Imagine being able to be happier for free! Researchers from Yale and Oxford have now made this dream a reality through their research on how exercise influences mental health. Check out this article from Business Insider which highlights how this recent research has found that EXERCISE IMPROVES YOUR HAPPINESS MORE THAN MONEY:
“In the study, published in The Lancet, scientists collected data about the physical behavior and mental mood of more than 1.2 million Americans…Scientists found that while those who exercised regularly tended to feel bad for 35 days a year, nonactive participants felt bad for 18 days more, on average.”
“Researchers found that physically active people feel just as good as those who don’t do sports but who earn about $25,000 more a year. Essentially, you’d have to earn a lot more to get you the same happiness-boosting effect that sport has.”
In addition, this study explored how social connection created through staying active can contribute to an even greater sensation of happiness!
“The scientists also noticed that certain sports that involve socializing — such as team sports — can have more of a positive effect on your mental health than others.”
Although exercise is important to improving your mental and physical health, there are many other factors that contribute to optimizing your overall wellness. Our holistic approach to gastrointestinal care means there are several resources including our registered dietitian, Claire Allen, our behavioral counselor, Jed Foster, and our nurse practitioner, Liz Moon, to help you on your wellness journey and develop lifelong healthy habits. To learn more about our services, call 224.407.4400 or visit compgihealth.com!