Exercising for happiness

Exercise is a well-known for boosting happiness, busting depression.  Tal Ben-Shahar says that humans are designed to move, and that not moving is like taking a depressant.  From the research on the anti-depressive effects of exercise, I usually suggest 3X per week of the equivalent of a 30-minute brisk walk.  But, perhaps the dose can be less.  From today's NY Times blog on wellness comes this article on research suggesting that three or four 20-30 second bursts of all-out effort with four minutes rest in between done three times per week can produce the same physiological effects as 90-120 minutes on a stationary bike, also three times per week.  Effect on happiness unknown.  Photo: "indoor bike racing" by willsfca