You’ve probably heard of some of the many health benefits that come from being
physically active:, including a significantly
lower risk of heart disease,
diabetes and other medical conditions. But did you know how even just a little
exercise can pay off big-time when it comes to your overall mood?
In fact, simply moving for as little as 20 minutes can significantly boost our
overall mood as long as 12 hours after we’ve exercised, according to research
cited by Tom Rath and Jim Harter, authors of
Well Being: The Five Essential
Elements.
“People who exercise at least two days a week are happier and have
significantly less stress,” Rather and Harter write. “In addition, these
benefits increase with more frequent exercise.”
The bottom line: “Any exercise is better than an entire day with no vigorous
exercise.”
Boost your mood with Thrive
Challenge yourself to
Get Moving as part of Thrive,
the YMCA of Middle Tennessee’s healthy living challenge. Over the course of four
weeks, you’ll take small but effective steps toward incorporating exercise into
your daily life. After completing the challenge, you’ll also be entered into a
drawing for a YMCA prize pack!
SIGN UP NOW
»
Get healthy with the Y
Want to get
started with a new exercise routine but aren’t sure where to start. Sign up for
a free Intro to Well-being consultation at your local Y. To schedule your free
appointment, simply visit or call
your local Y.
