My family can always tell whether or not I’ve worked out or not on any given day ― by how cranky or pleasant I am at dinnertime.

It’s no secret that exercise boosts mood ― it’s been used to treat mild depression and anxiety for years. But Dr. Jeremy Sibold and his co-author Kathy Berg, from the University of Vermont, recently found that moderate cardiovascular exercise boosts mood immediately, and that the mood-elevating effects can last for up to 12 hours.

It was a small study (48 participants), but a randomized, controlled trial, nonetheless ― and the results were significant. Dr. Sibold presented the data at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, May 2009.

Sibold points out that it doesn’t take a huge amount of exercise to stimulate these mood benefits ― subjects rode a stationary bicycle at a moderate pace for only 20 minutes.
This is good news for corporate health promotion and fitness professionals ― and an important message to communicate to the masses. Not everyone is motivated to exercise by the potential to improve longevity, heart health, body mass index, or appearance.

But many people are open to strategies for improving personal happiness and energy levels, conditions that are largely influenced by mood. A good mood is universally appealing ― nobody wants to be in a bad mood. Instead of focusing solely on the benefits of exercise for weight loss and heart health, try a different angle by emphasizing the mental health benefits ― go for a walk, feel better.

This study gives employers one more compelling reason to facilitate a corporate culture of physical activity. Encouraging employees to exercise before ― or during ― the work day has the potential to positively influence workplace morale, team and individual performance, and even customer service.

Research also shows that employees who engage in physical activity on a regular basis incur fewer health care costs. And with today’s economic pressures at home and on-the-job, exercise is a low-cost way for people to cope with stress in a way that benefits everyone.

Exercise elevates the moods of those who get out there and sweat ― but it’s also an excellent way to put a smile on the faces of corporate executives.