You’re Not High, You’re Just Happy
It always gets me curious when there is conversation regarding physical activity in a mixed group of ‘exercisers’.
In such a group there are some that exercise regularly, some who just plain hate it and will tell you that, and then an occasional person who says they exercise for the endorphin high.
Usually, it is quite clear that this type of person does not exercise with any sort of consistency, nor do they practice any sort of sport that brings them anywhere near such a place.
Yet, this is what they believe.
An endorphin effect, or runner’s high, is said to occur when strenuous exercise takes a person over a threshold that activates endorphin production. Endorphins are released during long, continuous workouts, when the level of intensity is between moderate and high, and breathing is difficult.
When a nerve impulse reaches the spinal cord, endorphins are released. This prevents nerve cells from releasing more pain signals. Immediately after injury, endorphins allow any animal to feel a sense of power and control over themselves which allows them to persist with activity for an extended time
So in these apparent non-serious exercisers I am curious about what are they actually experiencing?
Is it simple joy in moving the body?
Pride in doing good for yourself?
Happy to experience another aspect of being a human?
Let’s explore 3 areas related to the nervous system: pleasure inducers, plasticity and play. See how these bring that sense of adaptable happiness.
Consider the other pleasure inducing neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin.
Both of these chemicals affect the happiness than one experiences either during or after exercise.
Since the levels of serotonin increase when you exercise you also are building a direct link to fending off possible depression. This neurotransmitter affects your sleep cycles, moods and appetite as well. It also helps maintain that ‘happy feeling’.
On the other hand, dopamine plays a large role in muscle memory and development of you motor coordination. Long duration exercise at a moderate intensity can help elevate dopamine.
Think going for a walk at about 3.8 mph for an hour.
Most likely you’ve heard of the word “neuroplasticity”. Okay, maybe you’ve heard it in the distance but are clueless on the definition.
It’s actually the ability of our brains to change as a result of an experience.
In other words, the brain can change and build its network according to what you new skills you help it to learn. How it adapts refers to this process of ‘plasticity, the ability for the brain to reorganize pathways based on new experiences.
Exercising will improve brain function, strengthen new connections and increase performance. Over and over again studies are telling us that exercise and movement strengthens our mind. Our cognitive skills are surely sharpened every time you choose exercise that is challenging and creative.
Think about it…how can you build new pathways if you are sitting on a bike reading “People” magazine, peddling at half the speed you are capable? Don’t dumb yourself down. That’s a waste of your precious time. And now that you know that- you can’t fool anyone!
Lastly, play.
Remember that?
Play.
Like watching your grandkids build the snowman, race cars, pretend (talk about neuroplasticity!), and engage in friendly playground games.
You still know what play is.
Every time you putter in the shed, tinker in the garden, do a fancy dance when nobody is watching, simple samples of moving because it feels good.
Play is ingrained in us- we just need refreshing. Often and nothing too serious. Play’s rules are free. Be curious and feisty to find out.
That’s’ the beauty and spirit of play.
Freedom to explore.
Play elevates mood and enhances neural pathways.
So how about if you put it all together?
I do this on most of my morning outings before dawn so I get to be free without anyone seeing me play.
Make your walk an hour at a medium clip, say 3.5-4.0 mph.
Get those pleasure inducing neurotransmitters going.
Take a new route occasionally. Stimulate the ability for your brain to reorganize pathways based on your new route.
Finally, add funny stuff in. Swing your arms above you for say 50 steps, walk sideways for one block, how about pretending you’re swimming?
Induce some pleasure, build plasticity, and add play to hour’s walk!
Be happy.
You’re doing your body, mind, brain, and spirit good!
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