We’re all aware that regular exercise has a lot of advantages. There are a plethora of benefits that come with regular exercise, including prevention of diseases such as diabetes and conditions like obesity, but one benefit that most people don’t know about is that it helps people find happiness, connection, and courage.

You only need to look at people who are physically active to see that they tend to be happier, calmer, more content with their lives, and some of them even have a stronger sense of purpose. Would it be so far-fetched to suggest that exercise also improves the way the brain functions? Let’s delve deeper into this subject:

Primed to Connect

We’re all aware that exercise grants people a feeling of euphoria. Endorphins are released into the body during and after exercise and this is what gives people that “post-gym glow”. However, this mood boost is also what primes us to interact with other people, especially when the person whom you’re interacting with has also finished an exercise. When everybody’s in a good mood, it’s much easier to interact and create new relationships.

Reward Center Remodeling

Exercise provides a low-dose of joy to the brain’s reward centers. Through regular exposure to these conditions, the brain essentially rewires itself, thus causing the body to circulate higher levels of dopamine. This is how exercise can relieve depression and also expand a person’s capacity to experience joy.

Learned Bravery

There is a saying that “few men are born brave, others become so through training.” Exercise does indeed make a person braver in the same way that it expands a person’s capacity to experience joy. Regular exercise helps the brain establish more neural connections with the parts of the brain that help calm anxiety. 

Even the simple metaphor of overcoming obstacles and finishing sets helps make us brave and resilient. At times, we need to show our mind that our body can indeed climb that hill. 

The Beauty of Synchrony

Another thing about going to the gym is that you’re often going to be working out with other people. Working in sync with others helps create a sense of belonging and trust. Even acting as a spotter for someone during their routine can contributes to this effect. 

At the very least, you can always count on the fact that each and every person is at the gym for self-improvement, and that common goal is enough to create a sense of belonging, even when you’re new.

With all of these psychological benefits, it’s easy to make the case that exercise shouldn’t be just a hobby, it should be a lifestyle. Other elements such as diet and mindful consumption all lead to a healthier lifestyle that may not only help you live longer but help you live better. Even during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important that we dedicate some time to help ourselves remain resilient in the face of such an upheaval.