5 Exercises to Find Happiness

Is striking a work-life balance taking a toll on you? Do you find yourself feeling grumpy at the end of everyday? Simply try out a few exercises that will put you in a great mood. Here are some exercises that will help you find happiness.

Make a splash: When was the last time you jumped into a pool and had a good time splashing around? Swimming is one of the healthiest workouts. It burns up to 300 calories every hour. “It stretches your body and tones the muscles. It is especially good for people with asthma,” says Althea Shah, fitness trainer at Gold's Gym. If you are going to the pool with your friends, take a water ball and play with it.

Dance like there’s no tomorrow: Look your hottest and head to a party to dance the night away. If clubs aren’t your thing, what’s stopping you from pumping up the volume, wearing some funky clothes and dancing away to glory in front of your mirror! “You can learn a particular type of dance form and use it for a workout.


Salsa is a popular favourite. Take a partner along and just the intimacy will lift your mood,” says Shah.
The thrill of adventure: There’s nothing to beat the adrenalin rush adventure sports can give you; bungee jumping into deep gorges of green mountains, paragliding in the clouds, rafting through rough waters, skiing down endless slopes of white snow – the choices are plenty. Shah recommends rock climbing. “It uses a lot of your muscles and energy. This activity works on the legs, arms and stomach, and tones them. It can even be done indoors at a gym,” she says.

Walk: Haven’t we all gone for a walk every time we needed to clear our minds and feel relaxed? Walking is another workout that will put you in a better mood. Simply plug in some music and step out for a walk. Let your mind go. Take deep breaths as you walk. Choose a time like early morning for your walk to avoid polluted air. Walking works on your legs and rear and will tone your core too. It is also a great form of cardio.

Skip a little: “Skipping can really make you sweat and works on your whole body. Start slowly and do at least 100 skips with breaks in between,” says Shah. Once you get used to it, the sky’s the limit. If you already enjoy some other kind of exercise, go for it. “Working out releases endorphins in your body. These are feel-good hormones,” says Shah.

Now the secret is out – if you are feeling ‘fat’, just work those inactive muscles and kickstart the happy hormone!