Not Propaganda

I have drunk the Kool-Aid.

Well, not actually. I wouldn't go near that neon chemical stew refreshing, colorful beverage.

But the thing about exercise—I get it now.

I thought it was just about sweat and muscles and bragging rights. I hate sweat and I'm not big on bragging. Muscles, yeah, I like looking at them; not so wild about making them.

So when I heard stuff like "People who exercise regularly are more productive" or "People who exercise regularly are happier"—I laughed it off as "great marketing," the kissin' cousin of propaganda.

But...

It's true. 

 

It's all, 100%, absolutely true.

I have exercised at least six days a week since the beginning of April—minimum half an hour on the stationary bike in the morning with an occasional 15-minute burst later in the day—and I am much more productive than I used to be. Also—yes—happier.

I've just gone two days with no exercise and I found myself really looking forward to getting back to it this morning. And not just because it let me reconnect with my workout buddy, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

I'll be honest: this is not a controlled experiment. Other factors may also contribute to my happiness (buying trousers two sizes smaller than my last purchase; the fleeting return of Spring to New England; the Mets' starting rotation). But in general, I find I am happier on the days I exercise than on the days I don't.

Maybe most of you have figured this out already, but those of you who haven't can consider this a Public Service Announcement:
Exercise. Be happy.