Many students turn to exercise to cope with stress, but new research suggests the benefits extend beyond physical fitness.
A recent study indicates that physical activity not only improves mood but also reduces harmful thought patterns and strengthens mindfulness, together leading to higher overall wellbeing.
A new study by Shimeng Wang, Bochun Lu, and Xinming Zhang, published in Frontiers in Psychology (2025), explores how exercise influences the mental health of college students in China. The researchers focused on the role of rumination—the tendency to dwell on negative experiences—and mindfulness, the ability to remain aware of the present moment without judgment.
The study found that physical activity had a significant direct impact on students’ wellbeing, while also exerting indirect effects by reducing rumination and increasing mindfulness.
Students who exercised more frequently were less likely to engage in repetitive negative thinking, more likely to maintain mindful awareness, and reported higher life satisfaction and emotional balance.
Wellbeing, often referred to as subjective wellbeing, is a broad measure of how people evaluate their own lives, combining both satisfaction and emotional experience.
Among students, wellbeing is an important predictor of academic performance, social relationships, and long-term career development.
Yet many young people face declining wellbeing due to academic pressures, job market uncertainties, and other challenges. Identifying protective factors, such as physical activit,y has become an important area of research.
To examine this relationship, the researchers surveyed 1,075 college students across four universities in Jiangsu Province, China.
Participants completed questionnaires assessing physical activity levels, rumination, mindfulness, and wellbeing.
Statistical analyses were then used to test whether rumination and mindfulness served as psychological bridges linking exercise with improved wellbeing.
The results revealed three main pathways.
First, exercise directly enhanced wellbeing, supporting previous research showing that physical activity stimulates mood-boosting neurotransmitters and strengthens resilience against stress.
Second, exercise indirectly improved wellbeing by reducing rumination. Students who were more physically active were less prone to cycles of negative self-focus that often fuel anxiety and depression.
Third, mindfulness emerged as another important mediator: exercise was associated with higher present-moment awareness, which in turn was linked to better wellbeing.
Interestingly, the study also identified a chain effect.
Physical activity reduced rumination, which then freed up cognitive resources for mindfulness, ultimately leading to greater wellbeing.
This suggests that exercise benefits mental health not only by alleviating negative thinking but also by creating conditions that make it easier to practice mindful awareness.
The findings carry practical significance for mental health promotion. For students struggling with stress or low mood, incorporating regular physical activity may offer psychological benefits that go beyond physical health.
Exercise can act as a natural interrupter of negative thought cycles, while also fostering the mental clarity needed for mindfulness.
Combining physical activity with mindfulness-based approaches, such as meditation or mindful breathing exercises, may provide an especially effective strategy for improving mental health outcomes.
For everyday life, the results reinforce the idea that movement matters, even in small doses. Activities such as jogging, walking, yoga, or sports may help students shift attention away from worries and into the present moment.
Over time, these practices could help reduce the risk of persistent rumination and promote greater balance in emotional life.
However, the study also has limitations.
The research relied on self-reported questionnaires, which may be influenced by memory or social desirability biases.
Since it used a cross-sectional design, the results show associations rather than proving cause and effect.
More experimental and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether exercise directly leads to improvements in mindfulness and wellbeing over time.
Future research could also examine whether different types of exercise—such as aerobic activity, strength training, or mind–body practices—vary in their psychological effects.
Still, the research contributes to a growing body of evidence linking exercise, cognitive processes, and mental health.
By highlighting the roles of rumination and mindfulness, it provides a clearer picture of how psychological mechanisms help translate physical activity into greater happiness.
For universities and health practitioners, the findings suggest that promoting exercise alongside mindfulness training may offer students a practical and accessible way to support their wellbeing.
In an era where young people face increasing psychological strain, the study offers a reminder that everyday habits can play a powerful role in mental health.
Exercise is not just about fitness or physical strength—it may also help quiet unhelpful thoughts, encourage mindful awareness, and ultimately contribute to a more positive outlook on life.
Citation
Wang, S., Lu, B., & Zhang, X. (2025). The impact of physical activity on subjective wellbeing in college students: The chain-mediating role of rumination and mindfulness. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1575612. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1575612
