Keep moving to feel happy

At the University of Michigan, USA, Weiyun Chen an associate professor in kinesiology wanted to find out if exercise increases positive mental health in the same way it reduces negative mental health.  Many previous studies have shown that physical activity can help to reduce mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.  Chen and his team at the university reviewed 23 studies on happiness and physical activity, these studies included health information from thousands of adults, seniors, adolescents and children.  It also included cancer survivors from several different countries.

The review found that compared to inactive individuals the odds ratio of being happy was 20, 29 and 52 percent higher for people who were insufficiently active, sufficiently active or very active, respectively.  Several of the studies found that happiness levels were similar whether individuals exercised 150-300 minutes a week or more than 300 minutes a week.