StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Physical Activity and Happiness - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This essay "Physical Activity and Happiness" focuses on the problem that will be addressed is that physical inactivity can have a large effect on a person’s degree of happiness. Physical activity among adolescents is a positive action to engage in, and it often makes adolescents happier…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.8% of users find it useful
Physical Activity and Happiness
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Physical Activity and Happiness"

Physical activity and happiness affiliation The problem that will be addressed is that physical inactivity can have a large effect on a person’s degree of happiness. According to research done by Huang and Humphreys, (2010) physical activity among adolescents is a positive action to engage in, and it often makes adolescents happier and less stressed. As stated by Molijord, Moksnes, Eriksen & Espnes (2011), it is also vital to note that a positive feeling on physical activities can have a positive impact on a person`s degree of physical activity.

According to research done by Huang and Humphreys, (2010), physical activity among adolescents is a positive action to engage in, and it often makes adolescents happier and less stressed. Many types of research have supported evidence of how physical activity affects happiness levels, by saying that physical activity is strongly associated with a more positive outlook, and this leads to a happy mood (Huang and Humphreys, 2010; Molijord, Moksnes, Eriksen & Espnes, 2011; Smith and Biddle, 2008). In a research study conducted by Wang et al. (2012), it was explained that happiness can have a large influence on mental health.

Being unhappy, on the other hand, can be detrimental to someone’s general well-being and the consequent dissatisfaction. There is evidence to indicate that many people are physically inactive. This trend, of physical inactivity, will result in more health-related problems as compared to people who are physically active (Huang and Humphreys, 2010). Moreover, there is a gap in terms of adequate information to address the problem of physical inactivity. This research will seek to investigate the problem of physical inactivity and come up with recommendations on how to increase the level of physical activity.

The population that will be targeted in this study will comprise college students aged 18-22 years old. This group will be targeted because it comprises individuals who are energized and should be very active in every scope of daily activities. Additionally, this group of individuals can be recruited for the study from their colleges with ease because they are easily accessible. The setting for this type of research would probably be the Washington State University campus recreation center, using a survey based on exercise habits and levels of happiness before and after physical activity, measured on a particular scale.

The existing research on this topic supports our hypothesis that a greater amount of physical activity could make a person happier. There has also been some interesting research done by Wang (2012) who claims that the opposite of the hypothesis could also be true, saying that happiness could lead to increased levels of physical activity. Various researches have been done revealed that increased levels of physical activity result in an elevated degree of happiness (reference)Some of the key terms used that should be defined would include physical activity, which is defined as the movement of the body that requires using energy.

Happiness, another key term that will be looked at can be defined as a positive feeling about something or having feelings of enjoyment when thinking about one’s life. Increased happiness is a higher level than before of joy and positive feelings when reflecting on life (Reference) Distinguished definitions for what levels of physical activity there are and a description of each level should also be defined later on, which includes explanations of what constitutes as high levels of physical activity and low levels of physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to determine if college-age students are happier when they engage in increased physical activities. There has been quite a bit of evidence supporting this claim. This research can indicate that it is important to maintain mental health through happiness since adolescence and college-aged persons are at their peak times to develop good habits when it comes to physical activity (Schöppe, Bauman, and Bull, 2004). According to Schöppe, Bauman, and Bull (2004), it is revealed that physical activity involves sporting activities and training exercises, which are very essential in promoting physical fitness, and hence, good health.

When the health of a person is good, there are high chances of a happy mood. When society is actively engaged in physical activity, the probability of crime involvement will drastically go down; the youths will be imparted with life skills, goals will be achieved as well as diminishing obesity levels (Schöppe, Bauman, and Bull, 2004). It is reported that exercises and sports correlate with joy or happiness in people. Physical activity is also said to enhance socialization skills, which are vital in building social bonds (Smith and Biddle, 2008).

Consequently, the bond will lead to happiness in the participants not just once but throughout their lives (Schöppe, Bauman, and Bull, 2004). It is therefore very prudent for individuals to participate in physical activity in order to improve their quality of life and general happiness as supported by basic research.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Revised Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Revised Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1678806-revised
(Revised Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Revised Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1678806-revised.
“Revised Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1678806-revised.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Physical Activity and Happiness

How Can We Find Happiness from Sports

How Can We find happiness from Sports?... Number: Date: How Can We find happiness from Sports?... The purpose of this essay is to determine whether true happiness can actually be derived from sports or any such related activities?... If their teams or preferred players are victorious in their fixtures they are overwhelmed with happiness, however the opposite happens if their selection is defeated.... This is so because many people derive happiness from sports by deviating their minds from other worries and stress related activities....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Can Positive Psychology Make Us Happier

The use of positive psychology to increase happiness is particularly premised on the belief that people often have an innate need to cultivate the best within themselves, lead meaningful lives as well as to enhance their experiences of love, play and work.... According to many experts, positive psychology may potentially lead to happiness through a number of ways such as by fostering strong social bonds, decreasing negative emotions, enhancing physical activities and enhancing strong employee motivation....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Happiness and Intimate Relationships

This study, Happiness and Intimate Relationships, was carried and out and our investigation helped us take a closer view of the factors of love and happiness are intertwined with our intimate relationships and how they in turn impact on our lives.... happiness is central to human existence.... The depth of relationships correlates directly and impacts upon an individual's happiness.... Most people are often of the opinion that making happiness in one's life a top priority goal, is selfish; but great philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant, Buddha, Bertrand Russell all advocated that happiness should be the primary goal in each and everyone's life....
34 Pages (8500 words) Case Study

A Spiritual Dimension of a Game

In the paper 'A Spiritual Dimension of a Game' the author looks at feelings of spirituality and ecstasy, which are not limited to people from the field of arts and science.... It is also experienced through a phenomenon called a sport, in which one has to follow rules.... ... ... ... The author states that many people have experienced ecstasy and spirituality through the arts like dance, music, writing, poetry, and painting....
24 Pages (6000 words) Assignment

How Can Happiness Impact a Positive Lifestyle

Thus, even the performance of some acts which to the majority would be painful is committed by others because such acts provide them pleasure and happiness (e.... happiness has been a subject of philosophical discourses since time immemorial.... The writer of this paper analyzes how can happiness impact a positive lifestyle.... Man would do something because of happiness (Aristotle, 2002, as cited in Philosophy of happiness, n....
12 Pages (3000 words) Research Paper

Aristotles Happiness or Eudaimonia

"Aristotle's happiness or Eudaimonia" paper discusses eudaimonia and the form of life through which it is achieved.... Aristotle says that happiness the final and purpose of the existence of human beings.... He does not see happiness as being pleasant but he thinks that it is the exercise of virtue.... Man is rational and therefore the happiness he has relies on reason.... happiness is dependent on the acquisition of moral character where a person exhibits the virtues of justice, courage, friendship, generosity, and citizenship in the person's life....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

Philosophy of Happiness

There exist a big difference between happiness and meaning and happiness without meaning does not lead to a good life.... To many people, it is a financially stable life and happiness is founded upon possession of wealth (Haybron, 2001).... his is because a good life goes hand-in-hand with good deeds and happiness can be internally controlled.... This essay "Philosophy of happiness" discusses the concepts of happiness and good life....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Happiness as an Activity of Soul

The "happiness as an Activity of Soul" paper states that based on Aristotle's works on happiness, the only end or good at which humanity places its aims is happiness and such remains the pivot for all related subordinates e.... happiness is generally aimed at making very deliberate moves towards an imaginary final end where one develops physically, emotionally, and intellectually by utilizing distinctly human capacities.... One of the most comprehensive subjects handled by Aristotle was eudemonia, which has been translated to mean happiness....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us