When you ask people what they want most from their lives, they’ll tell you that it’s “happiness.” Standard answer: nothing wrong with that. But the problem we have in the modern world is that feelings of happiness (and elevated sensations in general) are fleeting. We’re out of touch with other ways of being. And that’s making us feel depressed and stressed most of the time. 

It turns out, though, that there is a powerful way we can fight back - get moving. When we engage in physical activity, it releases a host of biochemistry that changes how we feel at a basic level. 

There are all kinds of programs and documentaries that cover this phenomenon. You can take a depressed person for a walk or cycle through the woods, and at the end of the experience, their mood will transform. It releases extra dopamine in their brains, and suddenly they feel like they are back to their old selves. 

Exercise, therefore, is a way that people can stay in a state of happiness for longer. It won’t produce the same results as genuine awakening, but it’s a start. 

Currently, mental health issues are on the rise around the world. More people are going for Demerol addiction treatment (and for other prescribed medications). And that’s a sure sign that things are going in the wrong direction. People are seeking pharmacological ways to eliminate their pain instead of natural ones.

So what movements specifically can help you feel blissful, even when everything totally sucks?

Cycling

Evidence suggests that people who cycle regularly feel happier than those who don’t. And the reasons for this aren’t entirely clear. When you pit cycling against jogging, you frequently find that the mood-enhancing effects of the former are higher than the latter.

If you were to take a guess, you might imagine that cycling is better for mood because of how it feels. Instead of plodding along the ground, you feel as though you are floating through the air. And the speeds you can achieve are sometimes quite thrilling. 30 mph on a pushbike is a different experience from being in a car. 

Yoga

Yoga is another powerful technique for transforming the mind, body, and spirit. If you’re a beginner and get proper instruction, you can experience a transformation from just three sessions a week. It helps open up all the trapped parts of the body, releasing tension naturally. The added flexibility gives your body the sense that it can bend and weave in response to life’s challenges, instead of smashing into them directly. 

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing might sound like a strange addition to this list, but it can be effective for specific types of people. For instance, if you’re somebody who just can’t stop thinking all the time, then doing something complicated and new, like rock climbing, is actually a good way to take your mind off things. It’s a little bit like counting meditation practices, but a heck of a lot more interesting. You’re not worrying about what your parents said years ago when you’re trying to find your footing on a rockface.