Working out makes us feel good due to the release of happiness-inducing chemicals in the brain's pleasure center, enhancing mood and reducing stress.
Working out makes us feel good due to the release of chemicals in the brain's pleasure center that evoke feelings of happiness and energy. This feeling of well-being can result in addiction to activities that trigger these chemicals, similar to the effects of exercise.
Engaging in physical activity can lead to improved mood states, with resistance training and aerobic exercise notably enhancing mood. Even light activities like leisurely walks can induce a 'feel-good' effect on individuals.
Furthermore, exercise can reduce stress by buffering deleterious physiological stress mechanisms, such as decreasing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal responsiveness and preventing telomere shortening in high-stress individuals.
