Runner’s High: The Brainy Benefits Of Running Exercises

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In a paradoxical twist to a time-tested advice, running can help people solve their problems, though not in the way that they would normally think. While it remains ill-advised to run away from many of life’s recurring challenges, developing a habit of engaging in strenuous aerobic exercises such as running can help people think more clearly and bolster their brain’s ability to manage stress.

Crucial to this principle is the so-called runner’s high, the euphoric feeling attested to by avid runners after a long and arduous run. Runners have described the feeling as liberating and clarifying; going on a run often helps them ponder on their problems better. The act of running surrounded by greenery and nature has also been found to encourage feelings of accomplishment.

Scientists have found that not only is this sensation very real but also that it has a net positive effect on the brain in the short and long run. Strenuous aerobic workouts like running engage the release of anti-stress neurotransmitters in the brain. This has proved exceptionally beneficial for people with clinical depression, who report an alleviation of depression symptoms.

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Running can also boost learning abilities. The brain also releases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the neurotransmitter catecholamine while running, both of which are tied to the brain’s cognitive functions crucial to the learning process.

Finally, running encourages the development of new connections in the brain while strengthening old ones. This bolsters the brain’s resilience in the face of immense stress and helps it withstand the onset of aging.

George Ammar enjoys engaging in a variety of fitness routines, including running. For more updates on the benefits of regular exercise, visit this blog.