Fun Fact: You Can Choose Your Sweat Sesh Based On Your Mood ATM
Girls' Life magazine|April/May 2019

Which workout is the best fit for your feelings? Experts weigh in.

Amanda Tarlton
Fun Fact: You Can Choose Your Sweat Sesh Based On Your Mood ATM

When you’re feeling down, it can be tempting to curl up on the couch with a pint of cookie dough ice cream and binge old eps of Gilmore Girls. And sure, a pity party feels good in the moment. But it doesn’t really make you any happier— or healthier—in the long run.

The better-for-you boost? Exercise. It might be the last thing you feel like doing, but squeezing in a sweat sesh is more effective at making over your mental state.

“Exercise has been proven to increase serotonin, which helps your brain regulate your mood, sleep and appetite,” explains Alex SilverFagan, a Nike master trainer.

You can even take it one step further by matching your workout to your mood. So to help you stop sulking and start slaying, we asked four fitness pros for the best ways to exercise depending on how you feel…

WHEN YOU’RE FEELING

STRESSED OR ANXIOUS

PERFECT PICK-ME-UP: POUND THE PAVEMENT

Turns out you *can* run away from your problems—sort of. Going for a jog (or any cardio, tbh) has brain-boosting benefits like promoting the production of endorphins, the chemicals that make you feel happy and calm. Even better? Hitting the treadmill or the trail also gives you time to process your probs.

“On a run, you’re alone with your thoughts, which forces you to be at one with yourself. And the actual movement of ‘moving forward’ shifts your mentality and brightens your mood as well,” says Meghan Takacs, a master trainer at Aaptiv.

TRAINING TIPS : Not a huge fan of running? Opt for a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout instead, which will keep both your muscles and mind moving.

Denne historien er fra April/May 2019-utgaven av Girls' Life magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April/May 2019-utgaven av Girls' Life magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA GIRLS' LIFE MAGAZINESe alt
Now loading: Meditation mode
Girls' Life magazine

Now loading: Meditation mode

Haven't tried it yet? Here's your start-this-second strategy to find your center, no matter the strom.

time-read
4 mins  |
December/January 2025
Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)
Girls' Life magazine

Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)

You know that girl who's always bringing the holiday hype? Oh wait...that's you!

time-read
2 mins  |
December/January 2025
How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)
Girls' Life magazine

How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)

GOING DAYS—OR EVEN, YIKES, WEEKS—WITHOUT A SINGLE GREEN? THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.

time-read
4 mins  |
December/January 2025
THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD
Girls' Life magazine

THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD

It's exciting to be a part of the generation people say will transform the future.

time-read
5 mins  |
December/January 2025
NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT
Girls' Life magazine

NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT

What's in, you ask? New Year's intentions, aka the strategy that'll *actually* make all your end-of-December dreams come true.

time-read
5 mins  |
December/January 2025
"Ugh! My family is so...
Girls' Life magazine

"Ugh! My family is so...

OK. we're just going to say it: It's valid to sometimes get furiously frustrated and downright disappointed with your nearest and dearest. (Take that as permission to feel *all* your feels rn.) Our gift to you? Breaking down these daunting holiday dynamics so you can get back to being a fa-la-la family again.

time-read
3 mins  |
December/January 2025
Dear Carol
Girls' Life magazine

Dear Carol

CRUSHING ON A POPULAR BOY There is this boy I've been crushing on.

time-read
8 mins  |
December/January 2025
YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP
Girls' Life magazine

YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP

Sure, you could whisper some mantras, ask your besties to gas you up and listen to \"Bejeweled\" on repeat...or you could try these simple (but srsly effective) hacks for making 2025 your most confident era yet.

time-read
3 mins  |
December/January 2025
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Girls' Life magazine

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

Hunter L., 16, is really tired. Not the kind of tired when you stay up scrolling on TikTok, but tired of, well, being a teenager.

time-read
5 mins  |
December/January 2025
READ THIS before you hard launch
Girls' Life magazine

READ THIS before you hard launch

You and your crush are one what-are-we convo away from making it official...except for that one thing.

time-read
4 mins  |
December/January 2025