--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people exercise, we talk about…" description: "\"When people exercise, we talk about endorphins, but endorphins are just short-term. The reason why exercise is valuable is it trains your brain to beli..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/shawn-achor-6891_behavior_when-people-exercise-we-talk-about-endor_2217831.png" --- # When people exercise, we talk about endorphins, but… ![“When people exercise, we talk about endorphins, but endorphins are just short-term. The reason why exercise is valuable is it trains your brain to believe, 'My behavior matters,' which is optimism.” quote by Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/shawn-achor-6891_behavior_when-people-exercise-we-talk-about-endor_2217831.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/shawn-achor-6891_behavior_when-people-exercise-we-talk-about-endor_2217831.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/shawn-achor-6891_behavior_when-people-exercise-we-talk-about-endor_2217831.png) > “When people exercise, we talk about endorphins, but endorphins are just short-term. The reason why exercise is valuable is it trains your brain to believe, 'My behavior matters,' which is optimism.” [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Exercise builds optimism by training the brain to believe actions matter, beyond short‑term endorphin boosts. **In simple terms:** Exercise makes you believe your actions matter. Key Takeaway Use exercise to strengthen belief in your impact. Themes health optimism behavior Mood encouraging practical Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - daily workouts - team sports - personal challenges - stress relief Key Concepts neuroscience psychology habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How does belief in your actions affect your daily choices? - What habits can reinforce this optimism? A Different Perspective Optimism alone may not sustain long‑term change without concrete goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Endorphins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endorphins/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) ## Related quotes > [When you release endorphins, you just feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-metcalfe/when-you-release-endorphins-you-just-feel-good/) [Jesse Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-metcalfe/) > [No exercise brings into play all the muscles of the body in a more thorough manner, and none is more interesting than wrestling. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-leonard/no-exercise-brings-into-play-all-the-muscles-of-the-body-in-a-more/) [Hugh Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-leonard/) > [Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/physical-exercise-has-some-value-but-spiritual-exercise-is-valuable/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Spend two minutes a day scanning the world for three new things you're grateful for. And do that for 21 days, The reason why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/spend-two-minutes-a-day-scanning-the-world-for-three-new-things-you/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [All exercise releases endorphins and makes you feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-statham/all-exercise-releases-endorphins-and-makes-you-feel-good/) [Jason Statham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-statham/) > [I was raised really, really healthy, pretty much vegetarian and a very clean lifestyle, I don't smoke, I don't drink. I'm more addicted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berkley/i-was-raised-really-really-healthy-pretty-much-vegetarian-and-a-very/) [Elizabeth Berkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berkley/) > [When I'm having a really rough day, I take it out in the gym. It releases so many endorphins in your body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-raquel-robinson/when-i-m-having-a-really-rough-day-i-take-it-out-in-the-gym-it/) [Wendy Raquel Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-raquel-robinson/) > [Working out gives me endorphins and makes me happy. I need it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-cohan/working-out-gives-me-endorphins-and-makes-me-happy-i-need-it/) [Lauren Cohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-cohan/) > [There are times when I feel lazy and just want to stay in bed all day, but I know that working out is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-locklear/there-are-times-when-i-feel-lazy-and-just-want-to-stay-in-bed-all-day/) [Heather Locklear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-locklear/) > [“We were quiet for a while, and then I said, "I think my favorite part of Antarctica is just looking out." You know why?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/we-were-quiet-for-a-while-and-then-i-said-i-think-my-favorite-part-of/) [Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/) > [The health benefits, both mental and physical, of humor are well documented. A good laugh can diffuse tension, relieve stress, and release endorphins into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherie-carter-scott/the-health-benefits-both-mental-and-physical-of-humor-are-well/) [Cherie Carter-Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cherie-carter-scott/) > [When your eyes are softly focused on the horizon for sustained periods, your brain releases endorphins. It's the same as a runner's high. These…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/when-your-eyes-are-softly-focused-on-the-horizon-for-sustained/) [Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/) > [However, when given the chance, many people choose cocaine over love. I wouldn’t say that’s a bad choice. The endorphins released during infatuation are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-wentz/however-when-given-the-chance-many-people-choose-cocaine-over-love-i/) [Pete Wentz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-wentz/) > [There is physical evidence of the body's response to doing good. Endorphins are released in the brain when you do something for someone else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-lauder/there-is-physical-evidence-of-the-body-s-response-to-doing-good/) [Evelyn Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-lauder/) > [Road cycling, especially up mountains. It's the heady mixture of endorphins and aesthetics that I love. My wife does it too, and being with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-kemp/road-cycling-especially-up-mountains-it-s-the-heady-mixture-of/) [Gary Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-kemp/) ## More by Shawn Achor > [Joy is something you can experience even when life is not pleasurable. Even in the midst of a long run, when your legs are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/joy-is-something-you-can-experience-even-when-life-is-not-pleasurable/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Our daily decisions and habits have a huge impact upon both our levels of happiness and success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/our-daily-decisions-and-habits-have-a-huge-impact-upon-both-our/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Beliefs are so powerful because they dictate our efforts and actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/beliefs-are-so-powerful-because-they-dictate-our-efforts-and-actions/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Happiness is the precursor to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/happiness-is-the-precursor-to-success/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Positive and engaged brains are a company's greatest assets. More than time and even more than productivity, people must be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/positive-and-engaged-brains-are-a-company-s-greatest-assets-more-than/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [The idea of investing in the positivity of employees is often low down on companies' priority lists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/the-idea-of-investing-in-the-positivity-of-employees-is-often-low/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [We not only need to work happy, we need to work at being happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/we-not-only-need-to-work-happy-we-need-to-work-at-being-happy/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [..the more you believe in your own ability to success the more likely it is that you will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/the-more-you-believe-in-your-own-ability-to-success-the-more-likely/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Focusing on the good isn’t just about overcoming our inner grump to see the glass half full. It’s about opening our minds to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/focusing-on-the-good-isn-t-just-about-overcoming-our-inner-grump-to/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Happiness is not the belief that we don't need to change; it's the realization that we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/happiness-is-not-the-belief-that-we-don-t-need-to-change-it-s-the/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [We sometimes think that the best doctors are the ones who have the most specialized knowledge or the fanciest degrees, but in fact, study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/we-sometimes-think-that-the-best-doctors-are-the-ones-who-have-the/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Research shows you get multiple tasks done faster if you do them one at a time. It also decreases stress and raises happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/research-shows-you-get-multiple-tasks-done-faster-if-you-do-them-one/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [The research says that being successful doesn't automatically make you happier, but being happier - being more positive - makes you more successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/the-research-says-that-being-successful-doesn-t-automatically-make/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [Spend two minutes a day scanning the world for three new things you're grateful for. And do that for 21 days, The reason why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/spend-two-minutes-a-day-scanning-the-world-for-three-new-things-you/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) > [“Neuroscientists have found that financial losses are actually processed in the same areas of the brain that respond to mortal danger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-achor/neuroscientists-have-found-that-financial-losses-are-actually/) [Shawn Achor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) [Explore all 96 Shawn Achor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-achor/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) J. Willard Gibbs > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When people exercise, we talk about endorphins, but endorphins are just short-term. 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