The Amazing Connection Between Exercise and Mood

Exercise is often thought to be beneficial for the physical body but getting active actually has some profound benefits for the mind as well.^1,2 The human mind and body are so interconnected that what’s good for one is often good for the other, and this is certainly true with exercise.

The benefits of exercise are plentiful and extend to people of varying skill levels and abilities.

This article will explore the connection between exercise and mood and emphasize how joint pain sufferers should continue to exercise to gain important mood-elevating benefits. Not only can exercise help reduce joint pain, but it can also dramatically reduce the mental frustration of living with arthritis every day.

The Effects of Exercise on the Mind

Getting the body moving releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make a person feel good.³ Exercise also has a way of distracting the mind in a healthy way and away from worries and negative thoughts that can lead to anxiety and depression.^4,5 With regular exercise, individuals can cope with problems without resorting to negative behaviors, gain confidence, and even become more social.

Research evidence also suggests that exercise can help improve memory by increasing activity in the hippocampus part of the brain, improve cognitive performance, and reduce pain with both high-impact and low-impact activities.^2,6,7 Additionally, exercise may help the mind be more creative, productive, and even help control addictive tendencies.⁸

Endorphins Exercise and Elevated Mood

It’s often very easy to notice the effects of exercise on the mind because mood enhancements can occur within just the first few minutes of working out. However, the effects of exercise go beyond just this initial feeling and are long-lasting too.^9,10

Research has shown that exercising on a regular basis can help prevent long-term depression, reduce negative thoughts in challenging situations, and help people cope with stress in better ways.

Considerations About Exercise and Joint Pain

Many people who suffer from arthritis are hesitant to exercise out of fear that moving sore joints will only make their conditions worse. One important thing to remember about exercise and joint pain is that getting active doesn’t always have to include planned, repetitive activities, such as going to the gym or running laps.¹¹ Physical activity in all forms, including backyard chores and playing with the family dog, provides valuable mood-boosting benefits as well.

In addition to elevated mood, the benefits of exercise for joint pain sufferers include less overall pain because exercise increases blood flow to the joints, builds muscle around the joints to support them, and improves range of motion to provide greater flexibility and resilience to excess pressure.¹² With all of these beneficial effects of exercise and so many more, joint pain sufferers owe it to themselves to talk to their doctors about the types of exercise that are safe to practice for improved physical and mental health.