Most of us start training for how we look. Most of us stay for how we feel.
What happens up there
Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki has spent years studying how exercise changes the brain: mood, focus and memory all get a boost. Her TED talk is one of the best 13 minutes on the internet:
The practical version
- You don't need to train for hours. Regular moderate exercise counts
- Mood improves after a single session for a lot of people
- Training with others adds a social boost on top
Canada's 24-Hour Movement Guidelines are a good reference for how much to aim for. And if gyms make you anxious, read about our safe space.