Exercise is not only good for your physical health, it is also great for your mental health.

Exercise in any form can help aid depression and protect against anxiety. We all love to feel good and when we exercise endorphins are released which combat stress.

Cardio helps to boost learning ability and practice self-control. In one study, moving for as little as 15 minutes helped people better manage cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms, because exercise releases a neurotransmitter called GABA that helps control impulse and anxious brain activity.

Gretchen Reynolds, author of The First Twenty Minutes, says moving around for just 20 minutes a day better equips you to beat any blues. So although you may loathe cardio, it will actually leave you feeling good and more energised.

Another leading factor is that often exercise can change the appearance of our bodies, leading us to have more confidence. This boost of self esteem makes us feel stronger and happier.