What are endorphins and do you get endorphins running?
Endorphins are a hormone, or chemical that your body releases. Can you believe they actually have a similar effect to morphine – making you feel relaxed and happy. When you run the body releases endorphins – which increases pain tolerance, reduces anxiety, tension, anger and confusion! The feeling of running people talk about, is often linked to these chemicals being released and the good feelings they create.
what are running endorphins?
Running (and other exercise!) causes chemical changes in the brain – releasing endorphins – substances that make you feel good during and after the run. Do you get endorphins running – absolutely yes!
Is exercising good for you?
Regular physical activity is good for you in so many ways. In the very simplest of terms, moderate activity that might involve running two to three times a week will help you have general good health. Becoming an active person is a lifestyle choice that will really make a difference to your quality of life, and the endorphins’ running releases will help enormously with your mental well-being.
How running helps create balance in your life
Many of us have busy work-life-family schedules. The thought of adding running into your life might be an overwhelming one, but once you make the commitment – you won’t look back!
Running rewards you with ‘me’ time – as well as the endorphins running offers. Creating balance is about the things you have to do with the things that are important to you. Making time for running is choosing to acknowledge the importance of your long term health.
health benefits of running
Regular, health enhancing exercise has been shown in research studies to reduce the risk of suffering from various chronic medical conditions – in particular cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, strokes, obesity, high blood pressure and some cancers.
As well as reducing the risk of primary causes of ill health, running also increases muscle strength, flexibility and joint mobility as well as the condition of your skin!
Running also provides many emotional and social benefits – providing endorphins running and runner’s high benefits! You will find that running improves your mental attitude and boosts confidence. It is also is proven to reduce anxiety and depression.
In short running can:
- boost your immune system
- reduce muscle tension
- help you sleep better
- prevent joint and muscle injury
- help to ward off osteoporosis
- reduce cholesterol
- give you the mental runner’s high
how does running improve mental health?
Running also provides many emotional and social benefits. You will find that running improves your mental attitude and boosts confidence. It can really help with you having a positive sense of self.
It is also is proven to reduce anxiety and depression.
We already know that running causes chemical changes in the brain, releasing endorphins – something that makes you feel good during and after the run. Additionally, running has an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. One of the things caused by inflammation is depression.
what are running endorphins?
Running (and other exercise!) causes chemical changes in the brain – releasing endorphins – substances that make you feel good during and after the run. Do you get endorphins running – absolutely yes!
Will running help my mind?
Research done in 2014 by Stanford University found that people are 60% more creative when they’re walking. It’s the movement – of running or walking – rather than where you do it – that matters.
what is a runner’s high?
When you’re running, the body releases endorphins – which are feel good chemicals that give you positive feelings and improve your wellbeing. This may be a part of what is known as a runner’s high, which is this combined with a feeling of being able to run on and on, the feeling of pain vanishing and you are on top of the world without a sense of time. How long to run for endorphins to kick in is unproven, but we have found even a short run can deliver the positive mental outcomes.
Is it better to run outside or on a treadmill?
Any exercise can improve how you feel but if you’re wondering if a treadmill or outdoors running is the best exercise to release endorphins, then exercising in green spaces outside has been shown in research to have a great calming effect. So we can conclude that running in a park, or trail is better for your wellbeing than treadmill running in the gym!
What should I do when my mind isn’t in running?
Remember that we all have good and bad days. On good days you will feel inspired to go running – feeling strong and energised. On bad days you won’t want to go and everything about it will feel like a struggle. A runner’s high will be impossible to come by and you will be wondering where those endorphins are. But remember, the good days usually far outnumber the bad days – so try to get out there.