Why You Literally Feel Good After Exercise
Neurotransmitters
The body hears the mind. Our nervous system sends messages through neurotransmitters every second of our lives telling us how to feel, act, and function. Endorphins are among these communicators and are released when we feel stress or pain. The more endorphins released, the better we feel as they work their electrical signaling power to decrease these symptoms. And guess what helps release and charge up endorphins….. EXERCISE.
Runner’s high
We should do more of what makes us feel good, so that means we should exercise. When activity is performed, endorphins release their chemicals creating a euphoric feeling. Ever heard of a “runner’s high?” That phrase is the very result of positive feelings that result from exercise. Endo means endogenous and orphin means morphine. Put together, we have morphine that our body produces. They act like opioids, and for some that means that depression and anxiety can be reduced too. Just like pain medication, endorphins go right to the source and diminish those negative triggers on site. Simply put, endorphins are the good kind of morphine for you. Unlike the drug, endorphins aren’t addictive, but one might become addicted to doing something good for themselves and there’s nothing wrong with that. A runner might become an “endorphin junkie.” Any form of exercise can do the trick. The endorphin rush convinces you to stick with the activity and reminds you to do it again very soon. They really do have that addictive quality. We live in a prescription driven world right now, but why not take the natural approach that improves your mind and body?
Get moving
This all comes full circle because when we exercise we feel better, have improved self-esteem, boost our immunity, help lower our blood pressure, and sleep better. Not sure there’s any counter argument there. Don’t start stressing about finding the time to exercise just crawl, walk, or run….get moving. It’s a 2-for-1 deal when you improve your mood and body at the same time. As reported by cnn.com, exercise may actually help ward off depression and anxiety because it enhances the body's ability to respond to stressors
Exercise is a form of stress to the body. As mentioned, endorphins are released when stress is detected. The brain thinks that because the heart rate is increased and because muscle activation is drawing large amounts of energy, that it’s time to fight and emit endorphins. The body is actually trying to suppress the pain associated with activity, which when the battle is finished, leaves us with euphoric feelings.
The all-natural remedy
Make exercise like a doctor's appointment that you cannot miss for your health. Stress and pain are common feelings that negatively impact our emotional and physical wellbeing. When we decide to become the best version of ourselves, we decide that being happy is a priority. Exercise is euphoria to the mind and body.
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