5 Science-Backed Ways Workouts Boost Your Mood

You know that feeling when you just crushed a tough TIU app workout and you feel on top of the world? Think about that huge, proud smile you have in your sweaty selfies 😊 That’s the power of exercise!

You know that at Tone It Up your workouts aren’t just about sculpting muscles and getting strong on the outside — they’re also about feeling happy, peaceful, and confident on the inside. That’s just as important, and it will radiate out into every aspect of your life!

We’re diving into exactly HOW exercise enhances your mood and makes you feel your best from the inside out.

How Exercise Boosts Your Mood

Releases “happy hormones”

You know that line in Legally Blonde where Elle Woods says, “Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.”? We always think of that during a sweat sesh! Workouts activate the production of endorphins, brain chemicals that have been shown to enhance mood, reduce stress, and ease pain. Exercise also increases levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can brighten your mood (it’s even called the “happy chemical”).

Busts stress

Studies show that cardio-based workouts like HIIT, jogging, and cycling can lower levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Exercise also helps condition our central nervous systems, so our bodies are less likely to feel anxious in stressful situations. Research shows that people who exercised on a regular basis for just 2 weeks had fewer symptoms of anxiety.

It’s a moving meditation

Meditation is all about being present in the moment. When you’re working out, you want to focus on your mind-muscle connection. While you’re mentally connecting to your muscles and concentrating on your form, your mind won’t have room to fixate on your to-list or other nagging worries. Exercise essentially forces your brain into presence.

Exercise can also help you cultivate gratitude. Take a moment before, after, and even during your workouts to think about how amazing your body is. You can feel your heart beating, the air in your lungs, and your strong muscles contracting. Give thanks to your beautiful body for its ability to move you in your workouts and throughout your day.

Both presence and gratitude have been shown to improve mood, and you can carry these feelings with you all day long!

Connects you to community

One of the best parts about working out with Tone It Up is that you’re doing it with an entire community of supportive women by your side. You already know this but science backs it up too: Research shows that people enjoyed an exercise routine more and released more endorphins when they were doing it with friends!

Makes you smile 😊

Crushing a workout — especially with the TIU team cheering you on — will make you smile. Research shows that smiling actually boosts endorphins, so you get an extra boost!