This Simple Exercise Will Lift Your Mood in No Time

Feeling sluggish, anxious, stressed, or depressed? Your brain is probably low on neurotransmitter dopamine. Don’t worry – it’s nothing bad! Neurotransmitter dopamine, or dopamine for short, is an organic chemical that stimulates the brain and increases alertness, happiness, and concentration. Basically, the more dopamine your brain has, the better you feel.

There are so many different ways to increase your dopamine levels. You can take pills, eat foods rich in antioxidants, or exercise.

Exercising improves your mental health.

Numerous studies have shown that engaging in any kind of physical exercise helps activate areas of the brain that produce dopamine. You don’t need to be a gym rat or a marathon runner to enjoy these benefits. A brisk walk or a yoga session would do the trick. However, some exercises are better than others at keeping negative thoughts out of your head.

Let’s say you’re in a bad mood, and you decide to practice your boxing skills with a punching bag. Dopamine levels in your brain will increase, but, while you’re repeatedly punching the bag, you can’t stop thinking about your boss who took all the credit for that project you spent weeks working on. In this sort of situation, the dopamine released by your brain only enhances your alertness and concentration, causing you to obsess over your problems even more.

You would be better off partaking in a physical exercise that keeps your mind and body busy. Something like…

Riding a bike.
Riding a bike is one of the best ways to tackle anxiety, stress, and depression. When you’re riding a bike, you’re too busy paying attention to traffic and your surroundings to obsess over your problems. Riding a bike is not an idle exercise that lets your mind drift off. You always have to be 100% alert. Part of riding a bike is focusing on your surroundings and assessing potential hazards that might come up. When you’re on a bike, there’s no room in your head for any negative thoughts.

Not only that, but, rather than being holed up in a gym, riding a bike enables you to enjoy the fresh air and the scenery all around you. Sometimes observing the world and being surrounded by nature or other people is all it takes to make you feel better. Factor in the increased dopamine levels from pedaling your bike, and you’ll be happier and calmer in no time!

You can make the most out of it.

Since cycling is an endurance-based exercise, it would be wise to ride your bike on a regular basis. A 2010 study conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine revealed that just one 30-minute exercise session is enough to lift your mood. You can set aside at least a half hour per day to ride your bike. However, you have to be careful not to overdo it, because excessive exercise may lead to decreased dopamine levels. Keep it light to moderate, and you’ll find yourself on top of the world!