So what is International Happiness Day All About?

International Happiness Day falls on 20th March this year. Jayme Illien, an orphan adopted by an American woman after she rescued him from the streets of Calcutta, founded this annual event in 2012. Jayme grew up to become an adviser to the United Nations General Assembly, which unanimously adopted Resolution 66/281 in June 2012, which formally recognised that “the pursuit of happiness” is a fundamental human goal.

The following year, the International Day of Happiness was launched, with the aim of encouraging a more equal and sustainable approach to economic growth, the eradication of poverty and the promotion of happiness and wellbeing of people throughout the world, by education and public awareness-raising activities.

So, why not celebrate International Happiness Day every day – it’s very catching! These are just some ways in which exercise and fitness can play a part in boosting your happiness: -

• Regular exercise causes your brain to release endorphins – happy hormones, which are designed to inhibit the production of pain signals but which also induce a feeling of euphoria – a natural high.

• Exercise gives the body practise in responding to stress, streamlining communications between the systems involved in stress response. The less active we are, the more difficult it becomes to deal with stress, anxiety and depression. Biking, walking, jogging, running, swimming, even gardening and housework can actively release endorphins and improve your mood.

• Laughter is another way of releasing these “happiness hormones” and enjoying banter with friends as you exercise together, particularly in a dance class or playing sport, can increase their effect.

• Research shows that physical exercise is at least as good as anti-depressants for helping people – particularly older people – who are low in spirits.

• Even if the original goal of exercise is to lose weight or improve your appearance, just the feeling of wellbeing and emotional good health that exercise generates is a benefit that many recognise as something that improves their quality of life and makes them happier.

• While regular exercise strengthens your bones, lowers your risk of disease, keeps your weight under control and improves your mood, it also boosts your self-esteem. Society is obsessed with body image, but even if you don’t achieve the media's idea of the body beautiful, better muscle tone, improved posture and increased vitality will make you feel more confident and happy in your own skin and that is what is really important.

• Members of gyms, sports clubs or dance groups enjoy a sense of attachment and belonging and form life-long friendships, which greatly add to their general happiness and contentment with life.

So, physical activity doesn’t just build stronger bodies. Through the release of feel-good hormones and enhanced connections with other people, exercise does wonders for your happiness and wellbeing. And uplifting music makes your workout even more joyful, even if you’re just dancing round the kitchen to the sound of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You”, the Black Eyed Peas’ “Pump It”, James Brown’s “I Feel Good” or even Pharrel Williams’ “Happy”!