How optimism and physical activity interplay to promote happiness

While the increasing prevalence of depression and poor mental health is concerning, more and more academics are studying happiness and developing evidence-based interventions to promote it. Strong evidence supports the benefits of both optimism and physical activity for physical health and well-being concepts such as mental health or mental illness. However, no research has examined the interplay between the two for increasing happiness. The purpose of this opinion piece is to review the science on the relationships between optimism, physical activity, and happiness, and propose a model on how optimism and physical activity interact to promote happiness. Together both optimism and physical activity are key influencers of happiness with notable mediators being physical health and social functioning. This paper provides a critical examination of the contributing factors to happiness, which is relevant on both a practical and scientific front. This paper can inform future efforts in science and practice in this field to better support optimism and physical activity and to best promote thriving.