The natural high - it’s real!
You’ve probably heard about ‘runner’s high’ but it’s not just running that leaves you feeling great, all physical movement has this effect - here is what some studies have shown…
Inspired by the work of Kelly McGonigal, lecturer at Stanford University
If you’re already addicted to sport or exercise then this is why ;) but if you tend to lack motivation to get outside, especially when it’s chilly, here are a few points that might help you to see it as an act of tremendous self-care and indeed wisdom, backed up by science.
#1 The Hope Molecule - this is a nickname some scientists gave to one of the types of myokine (proteins secreted by active muscles) because it literally makes you more optimistic, motivated and generally happy. This myokine is secreted into the bloodstream when your muscles contract and it travels up to the brain to stimulate these positive feelings.
#2 Life to the full - movement is a way of telling your brain that you are fully engaged in life; telling it how alive you are and switching it up a gear. Your brain responds to the effort of exercise by creating motivation and maximising your potential in general. This will translate directly into the rest of your life if you’re exercising regularly!
#3 Resilience - the myokines referred to above have the same effect on the brain as anti-depressant drugs. Movement and/or exercise stimulates neurotransmitter action which also stimulates the endocannabinoid system making us less anxious, more social and more resistant to stress or pressure (without the very negative effects of smoking something…).
And one more to throw in - Collective Joy - moving in synchronicity with other people in a group brings even more of the good mood-boosting stuff according to McGonigal’s research, so that could be why exercising at home alone doesn’t leave you feeling as good as going to class. Aside from the benefit to you personally, there’s also the community benefit - the other people in the group get something just because you are there. It doesn’t matter if you’re not feeling super positive or if you’re not the best at the activity, literally just being there is a job well done.
So, while it might be hard to get going sometimes, making the effort to form a habit is worth it because when you’ve trained your mind to associate the ‘high’ you get after exercising with the activity then you’ll be dying to get out there or in the water or to the class for your dose of ‘feel-good’.
And if you already know and use this, then remind yourself what an act of self- respect you are choosing every time you exercise, go for a walk, do some yoga or whatever physical activity you enjoy.
Sources and further investigation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifw03u4IrS8
https://www.ted.com/talks/wendy_suzuki_the_brain_changing_benefits_of_exercise?language=en
The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal