It's actually dangerous to exercise if you're in a bad mood, according to science

Netflix and chill, instead?

Words - Aly Horne

We’ve all been told many times that the key to a balanced, healthy lifestyle is exercise. After all, if there’s one thing Elle Woods taught us, it’s that exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy, and the idea that exercising regularly will keep your mood high is definitely something we’ve all been told a time or twelve by well-meaning friends, family members, or coaches.

What we didn’t know is that while trying to sweat out your stress, frustrations, or overall bad mood might be effective in boosting your morale, it might also be detrimental to your physical health!

A study published in the Heart Association journal suggests that while exercising in a bad mood might fix your mood temporarily, it also might correlate to an increased likelihood of heart attacks. Out of a poll of 12,461 patients who had suffered heart attacks, they found that approximately one out of every seven patients had been upset OR exercised in the hour leading up to their heart attack.

But people were three times more likely to have heart attacks when they were upset AND had participated in a strenuous physical activity within that hour-long window.

So, instead of working out your aggression at the gym when you’re in a particularly crummy mood, consider just relaxing and watching Gilmore Girls revival instead. It might just be the healthiest course of action, after all.

From the editors of Hello Giggles