It seems like everywhere you turn there’s a person sweating it out running on the block, whizzing past on their bike and even doing group exercise on those posts used for locking up bicycles. They have a bad smell, you wouldn’t want to shake their hand (not at that moment) and they may even have a deep concentration that looks like someones about to get punched up. They don’t look overly happy from the direction you’re looking right now but believe me, they are more likely to be happy than Mr Puff-a-lot next door that says his as fit as his every been, all the while rolling up the tobacco.

Below I’ve listed just 5 reasons why active people are happier people, I say happier because true happiness comes through knowing your Lord, religion, prophet, purpose in life and acting upon these. Within knowing your purpose in life comes looking after your health and so being active has a place in all of our lives.

This is just a short list off the top of the head and I’m sure you will find many more reasons to be happy as you increase in activity and care for yourself and your family. So like BANG, here we go, 5 reasons active people are happier people:

Time

When you are engaged in exercise you are using your time positively, strengthening your body rather than breaking it and pushing it to the breaking point; this is using your time wisely! Yes some people go to extremes in exercise but this happens in everything in life, some people will always go to the next level, for various reasons.

Active people see the benefit of time as they race against time to reach a new personal best. The blessing of time has been given to you, you reading this now is proof enough. When you find blessings in your time this can translate into other areas of your life because you are at least attempting to put things in their proper place i.e. use wisdom.

Taking out 30 minutes per day that will pay itself back in your old age is a great deal and every Muslim can relate to doing something now and being paid back later as they pray their daily prayers.

Endorphins and Dopamine

As you exercise your brain releases chemicals and the Endorphin and Dopamine chemicals are well known in relation to happiness. This happiness is not fake or brought about through you taking other external substances, rather it comes from your own hard work and effort as you exercise. This ‘buzz’ as it is also known can grow stronger as time goes on and you exercise more so I wouldn’t advise you to exercise purely for buzz and momentary pleasure. Your activity should be more about giving your body its right to be looked after and kept in top condition.

Energy

Starting any new activity will be taxing on your body to begin with, you’ll feel slow and rusty in comparison to someone that has been at that pursuit for a longer time but as you continue on, daily, weekly and month-to-month you’ll find your stamina levels raising which means you can go at it for longer. Your energy levels have raised as your body adapted to the task over time. Outside of the gym, walking home with shopping, running for the bus to get to work, all of these things will feel easier due to your energy and stamina levels increasing. Who wouldn’t feel like the man?!

Sleep

Getting a good amount of sleep is important to bodily function and mood. Many people suffer from insomnia while others are easily disturbed. Medications can help in these situations but before you hit the pharmacy and get the chequebook out consider a gym membership because physical activity is known for improving the quality of sleep. When you get good sleep the day feels under your control, your happier and can get more done. Check out the book ‘Sleep Smarter’ by Shawn Stevenson on this topic.

Goals

Active people set goals and reach them resulting in feelings of happiness. Setting targets and having aims in life are important to giving us direction and purpose. Being active can help us to reach these goals just because we feel positive about ourselves and this makes reaching goals that bit easier because of that ‘can do’ and ‘winner’ mentality. Be consistent in your exercise and consistency in other areas of your life will be all the easier.

So there you go, 5 reasons why active people are happier people. It’s a process, so get on the trainers/sneakers and prepare to release some happy hormones. If you need advice on exercise, weight-loss tips, ways to quit negative behaviours and get active, give me Hanif a quick shout and we’ll get you on the road to the health and body you’ve wanted.