There had been numerous evidences that exercising is beneficial to the physical body. but do you know it can even make us happier?Given the fact that exercising is related to fitness and fitness to beauty and with beautifulness comes happiness, getting the run in the treadmill also releases chemicals in our brain that guarantees to perk up our emotion positively.

When we move vigorously, our body releases endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals released by the pituitary gland which is responsible in making us feel good.

Endorphins is also not limited to the life in the gym. Bedroom fun also provides the necessary release of this happiness chemical. According to Dr Fuhrman, a family physician “I personally think that having an orgasm is a great way to get a rush of endorphins, you may have to run for an hour to get a runner’s high, depending on your body. Sex is less effort.”

Source: www.yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com

Kids laugh 400 times a day; adults 15.Isn’t it weird when the world is not laughing? Apparently, adults need to laugh more as laughter is beneficial to one’s health.Laughter is good to the body because it stretches and works out the muscles. Laughing for 20 seconds is equivalent to three minutes on the rowing machine. Nice!

Actually, laughter is now a trend for fitness. Barb Fisher, an instructor at the University of Michigan’s Mfit Health promotion division promotes the Hasya Yoga, or the laughter yoga.

Hasya Yoga is very popular in many countries particularly in the United States and India. It is a daily routine and starts by chanting “ho ho, ha ha ha” while clapping and walking around the room.In the next half hour, they need to laugh for 30 minutes. Yes, 30 minutes. No matter what kind of laughter it may be - from hard belly laughs to soft giggles - the important thing is that the muscles are moving and the lungs taking in and out air.

Hasya Yoga provides stress relief, boosts the immune system, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It also helps the digestive system by avoiding constipation.”It gives me a relaxed feeling, and yet I actually feel like I worked out,” says Ann Twork, a Hasya Yoga doer.

Source: www.sify.com

Some studies suggest that having an active lifestyle promotes happiness and well being in life. But let’s take a look at the rather amusing article of a blogger from the Philippines that proposes that “There is Happiness in Doing Nothing.”

Here’s an exerpt from her blog:

• “What a waste of time!,” one may think. I think otherwise. After all, you’re spending time with yourself, aren’t you? Making time for yourself is hardly wasted time. By doing nothing, you connect with yourself quietly, meaningfully”

Follow the link to her blog, simply named “Happy Nest” here.

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Who ever thought that mopping the floor or washing the dishes promote happiness?A new study from the University College London, reports that doing just 20 minutes of housework a week can make a substantial effect on a person’s level of happiness.

The researchers surveyed close to 20,000 Scottish people in the amount of their physical activity and their happiness levels. They found that those who engage in physical activities like exercising, playing sports or even cleaning the house are likely to be happier than their 3,200 member counterpart who reported to be depressed and suffering from anxiety.

A 20 minute of housework or physical activity reduces chances of depression by 20 percent and the percentage increases as the activity gets more intense.

Isn’t it nice, doing two things at a time?

Source: newscientist.com, image courtesy of Daniel Morris.

We’ve all heard about a “runner’s high,” but there are plenty of other ways to achieve that feeling. Dance. Play a sport. Work out as hard as you can. Take a walk so your stress will take a hike. Moving your body releases endorphins, the quintessential feel-good chemicals found in your brain. How endorphin release is triggered by exercise is somewhat of a controversial science because researchers don’t know if it is caused by the positive emotion felt upon meeting a physical challenge or from the exertion itself. Either way, physical motion can provide a rush of good energy that can lift a mood, be it anxiety or mild depression, and it’s a good way to keep healthy.

Source: www.time.com, photo courtesy of ^riza^

Gary Todd’s life has never been spared out with tragedies. His wife and daughter, the two most important women in his life were both killed in a car accident in 1982 and 1995, respectively. “It was a rough time, especially the first two or three years after (his daughter’s) death. It’s terrible to deal with the loss of a child, especially when you don’t have a spouse to help you cope with it.” With him alone, he coped with depression and grief by overeating. He was 53 years old.

In December 2002, severely overweight, Gary decided to do something. He started walking in his backyard everyday and since got his body fit. He dropped 92 pounds and 12 inches. He managed to include this to his routine. “I put my headphones on, and I walk around the fence for 45 minutes. I’m really moving that whole time. It’s about 3 1/2 miles,” he says. His walk is his second-favorite time of the day. His favorite is the 30 to 60 minutes after he is finished: “I feel so relaxed.”

“Research shows that regular exercise improves mood and boosts the immune system, and Todd believes that’s true. He says he’s happier since he began walking regularly and has had only one minor cold in the past few years.”

According to a study presented at the American Heart Association, one can feel more energetic, happier and calmer after taking a brisk walk for as short as 20 to 30 minutes a day, three times a week.

The director of preventive medicine research at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Timothy Church agrees. “Exercise makes you feel better, the more you do, the more you benefit.”

Read more USA Today, photo courtesy of USA Today.