The secret of happiness lies in the combination of sports and psychology

The most effective method was not isolated abs swinging or sitting in the lotus position, but combining physical activity with mental practices. The absolute leader in efficiency is the so-called awe walks. The essence of the method is simple: a person does not just walk through the park, but deliberately focuses on finding things to admire, whether it’s a beautiful tree, a play of light, or an unusual building.

This mix of movement and psychological adjustment gives a maximum boost of energy. When we connect the body and at the same time force the brain to look for positivity in the external environment, the effect is magnified many times. The secret of success lies in synergy: sports plus the right thoughts work better than these components separately.

Mind-body bonding practices such as yoga or tai chi have shown consistently high and reliable results. They do a great job of reducing anxiety. However, the surprise was that regular physical education without any Eastern philosophy works just as well as positive psychology sessions.

In other words, an intense jog or exercise session heals the soul just as effectively as talking to a specialist or keeping a gratitude diary. We have a huge freedom of choice: if you don’t like meditating, you can just go swimming — the brain will say the same thanks.

Dr. Lowry Wilkie, the lead author of the paper, highlights an important point: there is no universal pill, and this is great news. Everyone is free to choose what they like. Breathing exercises will help someone, and team games will help someone. The main discovery is that almost any activity benefits from passive inaction.

The findings of the British are of great importance for the prevention of mental problems. Instead of waiting for a crisis, you can strengthen your psyche using available methods. The GENIAL concept, developed in Swansea, suggests building on three pillars: connecting with oneself, with other people, and with nature. Now doctors, trainers, and ordinary people have an evidence base that allows them to flexibly select a wellness program without pushing themselves into the rigid framework of the only correct techniques.