4.#3 Exercise Improves Your Mood
You’ve heard of the “runner’s high.” It’s what happens when runners experience a surge of chemicals that are released by the body. The chemicals are called endorphins. They react with the receptors in your brain and accomplish a few wonderful side effects.
One side effect is that you feel less pain. The other is that you begin tofeel an intense state of calm. The effects are often described as euphoric and are similar to the feelings generated from the drug morphine. You feel positive and energized. And the good news is that unlike morphine, endorphins aren’t addictive.
Exercises that Improve Your Mood
Moderate exercise is best. Low intensity exercise doesn’t tend to release enough endorphins to create a significant change. However, low intensity exercise has other mood boosting benefits so don’t discount it. High intensity exercise can deplete your energy initially and negate the effect of the endorphins. So what’s a moderate exercise? Consider swimming, playing tennis, or low impact aerobics.
Tip – Pay attention to how you feel when you’re exercising and afterwards too. If you feel exhausted and tired, then you may be exercising too hard. Look for a moderate level of intensity where you feel energized when you’re done.