Does exercise actually make you happy?

I always dread going too-but usually enjoy it once I'm there. I always seem to be in a better mood when I leave so maybe there is something to that. Keep up the exercising.

I write for my university's newspaper...thought you guys might enjoy this article:

M.L.
Editorial Columnist

What if I told you that I was using a miracle drug that can remedy obesity, depression, drug addiction, smoker’s lung, sleep troubles and many other impediments affecting your daily life? What if I told you that this drug can get you high, make you happy, improve your academic and social life and make your body run like a machine? And what if I told you that this drug was free and legal? Would you do it?

My name is Madeline and I am mild-to-moderately addicted to running. I come from a family of non-runners. Athletes, yes, but none of us have the lean, bony, fatless body that typical runners have.

My siblings and I stuck to contact sports in high school, and all four of us began running in college to stay in shape. All three siblings have completed at least one marathon, including my brother who qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon.

I began running half-marathons my freshman year of college, and four or five later, I am ready to train for my first full.

I quickly found out that running is neither easy nor boring, as I had once perceived it to be in high school, yet it has the potential to be the most energizing, spiritual, relaxing or challenging part of my day. My self-esteem and confidence sky-rocket during marathon training.My life changed drastically when I committed myself to the sport, and I have an intense desire to share this passion with others.

To those of you who feel unworthy of this miracle drug, I address you specifically.

For the over-stressed and over-worked: Studies have shown that distance running does wonders on the brain. Anxieties become mere annoyances on a run and are put out of the mind. Running provides the perfect mental environment to work out problems. It is one of the most efficient workouts for the schedule-oriented, giving you solid exercise in the least amount of time. Making time for this daily run will force you to improve time-management skills, therefore time is utilized more effectively.

For the smokers: It has been proven that even smokers can recover full lung potential through running. What an awesome gift. There is about 50 percent unused lung potential that can be utilized when running.

For the drug-users: There’s a well-known phenomena in the runner world called the “runner’s high.” The runner’s high occurs when the natural chemical Anandamide crosses the blood-brain barrier, creating feelings commonly associated with those of Tetrahydrocannabinol—feelings of euphoria, relaxation and cessation of pain. Last week I spoke with a professional who described the runner’s high as similar to the endorphin high of heroin.

Finally, for the scared: If you have a desire to begin running, that is the first step. The hardest part is getting out the door. Throw on some athletic clothes and shoes and run up and down campus a few times if that is what fatigues you at first. Read up on tips for beginning runners online, head to the gym and try it out on a treadmill or enlist a friend to try it with you. The main thing is to get started and later you can define your goals more clearly.

I could write endlessly on the benefits of running, but my main reason for writing this week is to plug the Flying Pig Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half-Marathon and 10k races, which will take place the weekend of May 4. Cincinnati’s Flying Pig marathon was recently listed among the top 10 most fun marathons. I highly recommend researching this amazing event online and considering participation. Three months should be allotted to train for the half-marathon, and 12 weeks until race day is Sunday, Feb. 10.

I recommend Hal Higdon’s Novice training schedule which you can print out for free online from www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/nonce.htm
So drug-addicts, smokers, fatties, skinnies, downers and normal people unite! Try out my drug to solve nearly any problem. Come on, everybody’s doing it!

I know exactly what you mean. The hardest part for me is getting out the door, but once I'm there and working out..I always feel so glad that I am! My favorite part is the hot shower afterwards!

Yeah, I guess you could say that on days I don't exercise, I actually feel depressed.

I completely agree that exercise can make someone happy..and when you skip it tend to feel morte depressed.. It is one of those things you have to push yourself to do..but then feel amazing afterwards. It's the initial push part that is hard!!

Absolutely,

It reduces stress.
It's fun (I know you don't believe that yet, but wait)
It makes the fat go away.

I am a really social person, so I always try to find people to go and do something with them.

It's harder to turn off the alarm and roll over if someone is counting on you.

Does it ever! I am a jazzercise–a-holic and I tell you I would not be a nice person without it! :0)
Being active is the only way!

Stay active stay happy!