Want 5 Natural Ways to Boost Happiness? Just Do This.

Spoiler Alert: We're going to recommend LA hiking

According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, “Physical activity is highly beneficial for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety and distress across a wide range of adult populations, including the general population, people with diagnosed mental health disorders and people with chronic disease. Physical activity should be a mainstay approach in the management of depression, anxiety and psychological distress.”

Beyond physical health, exercise has shown to boost mental health. Where most individuals loved “playing outside” during their childhood, playing a game of tag loses its allure as we age. Instead, people start to view exercise as an obligation rather than a source of happiness. 

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal, a lecturer at Stanford and author of The Joy of Movement, explains that muscle contractions during exercise release myokines, often called "hope molecules," which have antidepressant effects. This is also the reason exercise triggers brain chemicals to increase flow states and the “runner’s high.”

However,  McGonigal emphasizes that movement can be a powerful tool for boosting mood, describing it as an “intravenous dose of hope” on CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta on his podcast episode, Chasing Life: How Exercise Can Make Us Happier recently. McGonigal doesn’t just preach the importance of exercise and its correlation to happiness, she actually uses exercise to help manage her own mental health obstacles including anxiety and depression. 

McGonigal offers five tips to make exercise fun (again):

1. Take Your Workout Outdoors – Getting a dose of Vitamin D, exercising outdoors is known to increase mindfulness, reduces stress, “inner chatter,” and creates a sense of vitality and connection to life. A quick neighborhood run, outdoor yoga class, or hiking adventure are great options. Check out our great guide to the best outdoor exercise spots in LA.

   
   

2. Pump Up the Music – Check out Spotify’s recommendations for workout playlists!

3. Join a Group – This increases social interaction and can be motivating.

4. Revisit Past Joys – Reflecting on positive movement experiences from the past can help rediscover enjoyable physical activities.
   

5. Practice Gratitude – While we may be quick to judge cellulite or excess arm “flab,” be appreciative of your body and how it provides the ability for movement.
   

It may take trial and error of trying different forms of exercise, but finding joy in movement is absolutely possible for anyone at any age.