How Workouts Make You Happier

By Andrea Hayes, guest blogger and fitness expert at OneBrick.ca

“Working out has also proven to be just as, scratch that, more effective than anti-depressants. The more we move, the happier we are.”

Workout because you are sick of always using the laundry machine to wash your clothes.

Workout because you want you want to be a strong friggen beast.

Workout because you want to build a balcony (aka “booty”) that Shakespeare could recite sonnets off of.

Workout for all of these reasons AND workout because

You.

Want.

To.

Be.

*Happy.*

I would argue that at a GUT level, happiness truly is the goal of every other goal.

Those abs you want, that butt you want, that strength you want? Yeah, I am calling your bluff – you want all of those things because, ultimately, you want to *feel* good.

Newsflash: You don’t have to wait to achieve these goals to start feeling like a Happy Harriet.

Working out can make you happier TODAY!

Isn’t it pretty friggen sweet that you don’t have to wait until tomorrow, next week, next month or next year to start feeling some pretty amazing feelings?

I.

Think.

Working out and eating well is much more than an investment in your physical body – it is an investment in your emotional body as well. Research has shown that exercise simply makes you feel better

Time.

And.

TIme.

Again.

Beyond the physical benefits, such as becoming a hottie with a naughty body, putting YOU first by eating well and exercising also has the added benefits of:

• Providing a natural high by releasing feel-good endorphins through your your body. Why be high on drugs when you can be high on life?
• Better mood regulation and cognitive function due to an increase in the production of the neurotransmitter, serotonin.
• Supplying inexpensive stress release. Thank-you, gym therapy.
• Giving you an increased sense of purpose and identity
• Increasing your level of joy.

Working out has also proven to be just as, scratch that, more effective than anti-depressants. The more we move, the happier we are.

So, if you were thinking of skipping out on the gym because you didn’t *feel* like going consider the following:

Would you rather look like this?

Or like this?

(“So let’s stop talkin’ and do some walkin’!” I friggen love her. haha)

Personally, I would rather live my life feeling like I am in a cloud

Pink.

Fluffy.

Unicorns.

Dancing.

On.

Rainbows.

You could even up your level of fun and get some of your unicorn friends to workout with you.

I believe that health is the base of an extraordinary life – it will make you better at everything you do.

Focus on feeling your best. Focus on being happy.

And.

The.

Rest.

Will.

Come.

Have an extremely happy day and

Lift.Love.Laugh.

You.

Are.

Worth.

It.

Andrea