Exercise and Mood

Less stress, less anxiety, less depression.

by Michael Otto, Ph.D. and Jasper Smits, Ph.D.

Exercise for Good Sex

Research now makes it clear that your sex life is intimately tied to your sweat life. Those who exercise regularly have greater sexual interest and better sexual functioning. Ok, we don’t know if this is true for everyone. There is so much more research on exercise and sex for men, but there are indications that women may enjoy this connection as well, with one study indicatin Read More

Mental Health Gets Boost in London’s Olympic Legacy Planning

On July 27th, the 2012 Summer Olympics will open in London, England. On March 16th, just over 4 months before and 5 miles from the Olympic opening event and stadium, over 200 mental health clinicians will be running or walking a prepared 5K course in Reagent’s Park in central London. What is the link between these two events? Read More

Finding the Fun in Physical Activity

For all these reasons, to return to regular exercise I needed more than willpower - I needed play! Read More

Exercise and Learning in Grade School

The three Rs of elementary school are Reading, wRiting, and aRithmatic. We know these skills are a crucial part of academic development. There is also evidence for a fourth R in academic development—Recess. Recess is not just fun time; it is valuable break time and valuable physical activity time. Read More

Exercise for Anxiety

Worries, panic attacks, avoidance, difficulties sleeping, upset stomachs, muscle tension, obsessions, and sweating: the symptoms of anxiety are both varied and pervasive. Anxiety hurts relationships, decreases quality of life, curbs job attainment, and impairs social functioning. Bad anxiety needs good treatment. Read More

Run Away from Smoking

On September 19th, CNN Health reported on the role of exercise in improving smoking cessation among teen boys. Smoking prevention and cessation in teens is a crucial public health effort. Smoking is the country's number-one killer that can be prevented—every year almost one-half million individuals die because they smoked. Read More

Finding the Fountain of Youth

The mythical Fountain of Youth: Drinking from it is supposed to stop aging and restore youthfulness. Legend has it that Ponce de León went searching for it in the early 1500s, and discovered Florida in the process. In modern times, the vision of the cure-all fountain has been replaced by the wish for medications that can stop or reverse aspects of the aging process. Read More

Dear First Lady Obama

I don't know about you, but I have never sent a letter to the White House. Read More

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Ugh! The mirrors are everywhere: in front of the exercise bike, in back of the exercise bike, on the sides of the exercise bike. Mirrors are part of the gym experience. They are there, supposedly, to help you work on your form, to admire your form, and, of course, to make the gym look bigger. But for many people, these mirrors take the pleasure out of exercise. Read More

Motivation 101: Don’t Dig Deep

Think of your willpower as a muscle that gets tired with use. You may push yourself to get the report done at work, push yourself to choose salad over pizza at lunch, and then push yourself to call your mom on the way home like you said you would. Then, in the evening, you have no willpower left to do the next "should." Your willpower muscle is fatigued. What do you do w Read More

No Pain - No Gain?

The good news about exercise for mood is that you don't have to struggle through high-intensity workouts to get the benefits. With moderate intensity exercise, you can expect an increase in positive mood within minutes after exercise. Read More

Outwalking Depression

There is a great deal of evidence that exercise not only improves mood and enhances well being but also is an effective intervention for depression. That is, well-conducted clinical trials have repeatedly shown mood benefit from exercise in adults with clinical depression. Read More

Avoid Sitting to Death

Exercise has important effects on attention and memory, has been used as an effective treatment for depression, and, of course, has tremendous beneficial effects on physical health. Read More

Exercise and Mood Bloggers

Michael W. Otto, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at Boston University. He is author of the book, Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being.

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Jasper Smits, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Psychology and Director of the Anxiety Research and Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

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