The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage

by Kelly McGonigal

Around the world, people who are physically active are happier and more satisfied with their lives.

People who are regularly active have a stronger sense of purpose, and they experience more gratitude, love, and hope.

Real-time tracking also shows that people are happier during moments when they are physically active than when they are sedentary. And on days when people are more active than their usual, they report greater satisfaction with their lives.

Anything that keeps you moving and increases your heart rate is enough to trigger nature’s reward for not giving up.

Studies show that yoga, like dancing, can create social bonds.

The feeling of boundaries dissolving is one of the most powerful aspects of collective joy. It’s not the idea of being connected; it is a physical sensation of connection.

You can walk away from a dance party or group exercise class with an expanded sense of belonging and an embodied knowing that you have the right to take up space in the world.

When you embrace the metaphorical meaning of movements, you can literally sense the strength that is in you

Human beings are also storytellers, and the stories we choose to tell shape how we think about ourselves and the world.

physical accomplishments can change how you think about yourself and what you are capable of.