Happiness, Well-Being, and Exercise.

March 8, 2024March 8, 2024 by Daniel Osei

We all want to be happy, live fulfilling lives, and generally be satisfied with our lives. Most of our days are spent in the pursuit of happiness. We do everything to be happy and remain happy. Yet, ask any random person you meet this question, “What makes you happy?” and depending on the person, their answer might range between money, a great career, awesome stuff, good grades, true love, perfect body, etc. Sure, these things do make us happy. But only temporarily. Why? Well, it’s all due to hedonic adaptation. We chase after these desires, striving to attain them, only to have our brains adapt in the end.

Happiness and Well-being.

Contrary to what we have been conditioned to believe to be true, none of the things mentioned above makes us happy in the long term. In fact, according to an 85-year study on happiness and well-being, the key to a happy life is the quality of our relationships. That is right. It is the one thing that keeps us happier, and healthier and makes us live long. If our goal is lasting happiness, it only makes sense we enhance the quality of our relationships.

Now, it’s one thing to know the facts of happiness. It is another thing to design your life for the quality and supportive relationships that ultimately make us happy and healthy. Jim Rohn once said, “Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design.” How do we design our lives for happiness? Is it possible? I strongly believe we can, and the answer lies within physical activity.

Exercise as a fundamental aspect of well-being.

A few years ago, I found myself in a dark place, depressed, lacking energy, and struggling to find motivation to do anything productive. Chronic back pain was a constant reminder of the physical toll. Reflecting on that time now, I realize it was a period I never want to revisit.

Fast forward to today, and I’m a different person. My values have drastically changed and for good. I wake up energised and eager to tackle the day. I’m hitting my daily goals with gusto and feeling better than ever before. I have awesome and supportive people in my corner as friends – most of whom I met during working out sessions. My relationship with the people in my life has been amazing. The support and opportunities to be kind are endless. And most importantly, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Exercise has been my saving grace, transforming me into the vibrant individual I am now.

I initially turned to exercise as a solution for my back and joint aches, seeking long-term relief. However, what I discovered was so much more. I stumbled upon happiness. We’ll delve into the hidden perks of exercise shortly. In the meantime, I need you to rid yourself of whatever preconceived ideas you have on exercise. The six-pack abs, the chiselled bodies or the superficial stuff plastered all over social media, I mean all of that. My focus is solely on the unexpected and hidden perks of exercise, and how any form of physical activity can set the tone for a healthy and happy life.

In my next piece, I will elaborate on the importance of embracing the pain of exercising, what the hidden benefits of long-term physical activity are, and how they form the grounds on which meaningful relationships and happiness ultimately grow.

In the meantime, I would love to hear your thoughts, stories, or anecdotes on the correlation between physical activity and happiness.