Did you ever wonder why you feel so incredibly relieved after you have exercised? Sure, there is the feeling of being tired and a little out of breath, but there is also this feeling that you have had a burden lifted off your shoulders, a feeling of content and euphoria. A natural high. That is because that is exactly what it is.
When you exercise endorphins, which are compounds that the pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce, are released in moments of exercise and excitable moments. They are even released during moments of injury and pain. They are the body’s natural drug. This naturally high level of euphoria can sometimes last 11 to 12 hours.
The physical activity of exercise not only promotes good health, better body tone, and a prolonged life it relieves the stress inside your body by way of the endorphins that are released. Often a person will say that they have to exercise. They might not feel up to it, but they do not feel well in other ways if they do not. Are they exercise addicts? Possibly, but more so they long to feel that relief from their anxiety. They know that in the end they will feel better if they do exercise. This is all due to endorphins and the effect that they have on the body.
Many runners state a typical high feeling, but this is not just limited to the activity of running. This release of endorphins has this effect on the body with any type of physical activity. The feelings of happiness, elation, giddiness, and joy that endorphin release gives us can be felt with vigorous exercise, such as swimming, walking, skiing, hockey, basketball, tennis and so on. This feeling somewhat depicts what a heroin or cocaine addict might feel. However, this feeling can be yours for the simple price of exercising your body.
The body is such an amazing machine that exercise not only releases these endorphins, but also decreases cortisol, which is responsible for stress, and increases dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin. This chemical change in your body leads to only one thing and that is a calmer, more peaceful feeling in your body and a boost to your mood. This mood elevating combination comes at the mere price of doing what we should be doing anyway to keep our body’s fit and strong, exercise.
You are able to feel these great effects of endorphin induced glee with a simple 10 to 15 minutes of exercise. However, exercising 30 minutes at least three to four times a week, preferably even every day is ideal. Exercise will ease muscle pain, give you these feel good effects, lift your spirits, help in your weight loss goals and give you more energy so why not make a pledge to exercise more often for a renewed and healthier you. Get up off the couch, put your running shoes on and run for a total mood booster. You will glad that you did. It is for your health!
Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, media, and health.
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