While it is true that for many the holiday season is filled with festivities. Family gatherings around a roaring fire, caroling around the town, decorating the home, and spending time with the ones we love and cherish the most. However, it is also true that these same holidays come with stresses and sadness if we are alone or away from people that we miss. It is with this that the holiday season comes with an increased rate of suicides and depression.

However, despite any lingering longings or frazzled days in anticipating family gatherings that may be the ground work for some family conflicts, continuing to work out and follow your fitness routine can be key in not only reducing tension levels but keeping you upbeat and supplied with that holiday good cheer. Working out, and exercise in general, are proven to be an excellent mood boosters. In fact, regular exercisers are known to be more happy in their overall lives and less prone to depression.

This is because when you workout your body produces endorphins, which are responsible for causing feelings associated with happiness, satiety, and rewards. You have no doubt experienced this yourself, often feeling better after a workout, and usually less tired than you did prior. Regular exercise has been shown to not only help those suffering with depression, but can actually aide in warding its onset.

So by continuing your fitness routines and working out during the holiday season, you will not only be doing well to avoid packing on any extra pounds that have been known to creep up when we are surrounded by such wonderful treats and favorite foods, but it can make this time of the year more enjoyable and less stressful too!