Teens: For a Happier Day, Move More!

You can be happier right now (ok within an hour), you just need to get moving. Yes, it’s a good bet you know that teens who are more physically active are happier over the long run, but here’s what’s may surprise you: research shows the immediate benefits are pretty amazing too.

In one study, researchers in the Netherlands followed more than 1,480 teens who were given a wrist fitness tracker and a smartphone, a sort of wearable lab that could collect data in real time. The fitness tracker was used to count steps and track physical activity, minute by minute, for a maximum of 5 days. The smartphone allowed the teens to reply to randomly timed requests to rate how happy they were at that specific moment. 

Turns out, the number of steps accumulated in a given hour predicted a teen’s happiness level in the next hour. In fact, adding as few as 1,000 steps to a typical daily activity level was enough to shift into a happier state of mind for that day (more was better). 

For physical health, experts recommend teens get 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous activity every day. Now we know that adding a few more steps can have immediate mental health benefits too, starting with feeling happier. 

 4 ways music helps you move more

If you need inspiration to get moving to boost your happiness, add a little music to your routine. Why? Research shows, its effect is It delivers in so many ways, like these four research-backed ways music makes it easier for you to stay active every day:

1. Music makes exercise more enjoyable. 

For most teens, this is one of the most important benefits of listening to music while exercising. Why? When exercise is fun, you’re more likely to keep at it. 

2. Music helps improve your physical performance. 

Tunes with a fast tempo exert a stronger benefit than those with a slow-to-medium tempo. In other words, you move with the tempo of the music.

3. Music reduces perceived exertion. 

Music has the ability to distract you when you feel fatigued or have minor physical discomfort. That is, music makes exercise feel easier.

4. Music helps improve oxygen consumption. 

Being more efficient at using oxygen allows you to delay fatigue and improves your ability to exercise longer. 

Bottom line: Move more every day to feel happier now and in the long run, and make it easier by listening to your favorite workout songs.

You’ve Got This!

Lorna & Kathleen (The EatingFor Team)