Using Exercise To Boost Your Mood

Do you ever find yourself using exercise to boost your mood?

Exercising releases endorphins, the happy hormone, so it’s a guaranteed mood lifter. Plus I always find if I’m upset or (especially) angry, I put so much more into my work out.

Using Exercise To Boost Your Mood – A Workout

So if you’re feeling like you need cheering up and you don’t want to reach for the ice cream, why not try this workout:

Time – approx. 1 hour

• Your usual 10 minute warm up
• 15 minutes cardio on the treadmill, exercise bike or cross trainer – 2 minutes jog (70% of your max. heart rate), 1 minute sprint (80% of your max. heart rate). If you can’t get up that high or that often, don’t worry. Do your best, you’ll still feel better afterwards just for getting your heart rate up and your blood pumping.
• 10 Minutes boxing – You can either have a sparring partner, air box, a punch bag, or knock hell out of a pillow.
• 15 minutes cardio (as above but on a different piece of equipment if possible)
• Your usual 10 minute cool down

That’s what I do if I’m feeling particularly stressed, but really you can do anything physical – resistance training, running up and down stairs, or even just going for a gentle jog. It’s not about burning calories, it’s about letting go and enjoying the moment.

You will feel so good afterwards.

Disclaimer: Consult your GP before starting a new exercise program. I am not a personal trainer and I don’t claim this will help you lose weight, tone up or anything else except blow the cobwebs away and make you feel good.

Do you ever find yourself using exercise to boost your mood? Do you prefer cardio or resistance training? Let me know in the comments 🙂

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