But you don’t have to be a runner to experience these positive effects, according to Edsor. He says that spending a good chunk of time doing whatever physical activity you enjoy, from Pilates to weight lifting, can bring the “same kind of emotional satisfaction and joy.”
Charging
You may not feel like yelling at the rooftops after yoga, Edsor admits, but he says many studies have shown that people’s moods improve “drastically” after exercising. In other words, don’t chase a runner’s high. Instead, simply being active on a regular basis is a great way to improve your mood.
But if you’re one of the lucky ones who’s on cloud nine after a race, Lukins says you’re bound to reap the rewards. “From a psychological perspective, those who experience a runner’s high report reduced pain perception, improved mood, better overall well-being, lower levels of anxiety, and for some, a feeling of euphoria.”
Muir can talk about all that. She says that she works hard because she knows how glowing she’ll feel when that rush runs through her body. “It makes me feel invincible; as if anything were possible.”
Evelyn Lewin is a GP and freelance writer.
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