399. The psychology of exercise

We all know exercise is 'good for us', but why is it that a walk can calm your brain, why a workout can feel like emotional release, or why movement can become either self-care or self-punishment. In this episode, we unpack the psychology of exercise – what's happening to our brains over time, where the 'exercise as antidepressants' claim came from, and what happens when it crosses into obsession. We explore: • The role of endorphins and endocannabinoids • How movement can regulate our emotions • Identity and motivation in exercise • How exercise changes our brains • The role of exercise in treating depression • How to build a healthier relationship with exercise Watch on Netflix: HERE Follow Jemma on Instagram: @ jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @ thatpsychologypodcast

You can listen to 399. The psychology of exercise online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

399. The psychology of exercise is an episode from The Psychology of your 20’s by iHeartPodcasts.

This episode is 47:57 long.

This episode was published on Mar 23, 2026.

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