The Effects of Exercise on the Body
We have all heard the lecture about how important exercise is, but do we ever really listen to why it is? I use to be like the countless other people who did not listen to why we should exercise. Exercise just seemed like such a hassle and it was never an enjoyable experience and I prefered the easier option of just sitting on the couch being unproductive with my life. I always thought this until I found an exercise I actually enjoy doing, running. I am not the fastest runner, nor do I have the best endurance, but with every run it makes me better than I was before. Everyone is different and not everyone will enjoy the same exercise as much as I do, but I do believe that there is a workout for everyone, like running is for me, that they truly will enjoy. Exercise is very important, and has countless beneficial effects on our lives that as many times as
…show more content…
Endorphins when doing any physical activity, are hormones that are initially released to numb the pain from exercise. While that is their main purpose in our bodies during exercise, they also have another beneficial side effect, making us happier. When I am out on a run, there are sometimes where I am so overwhelmed with happiness that I feel like I can just run forever. I feel like nothing can hurt me on a run, and everything in the world that I have been holding on my shoulders lighten up for a little bit. The happiness does not end when I stop running either, my mood stays in a positive mood for a considerable amount of time. As Gillen mentions in The Hidden Mechanics of Exercise: Molecules That Move us, “And though exercise activates some of the same pathways as drugs like marijuana and heroin, it sidesteps (or even counters)some of their nasty effects”. Gillen is trying to express in this statement, that exercise gives a high that is comparable to many drugs, except the side effects do not hurt us, the actually help
This is disturbing, not only because so many people are missing out on the physical benefits that result from exercise, but on the mental benefits that result from exercise as well
Exercise and the act of any bodily motion requires chemistry to power all of the necessary moving parts. There are two functions of exercise that make you feel good while working out and then make you feel not so good. The first “feel good” process is the releasing of endorphins during a workout. Endorphins are chemicals released by the pituitary gland of the brain. The pituitary gland produces approximately 20 different types of endorphins that assist the human body with a variety of functions. Endorphins diminish the brain’s ability to perceive pain, which is similar to the function of sedatives. A few examples of the benefits of endorphins are that they help with stress reduction, relieving pain, boosting immunity, slowing the aging process,
...uestion ultimately lead to the detrimental discovery of the natural pain-killing polypeptides in the brain. Endorphins are most heavily released in the human body during stressful events or in moments of great pain. Endorphins are the natural way of toning down pain responses without turning to heavy duty opiates such as heroin and methadone. The rush of endorphins into the system at such times is often felt as a queasy or nervous feeling in the stomach. Without endorphins acting as stabilizers in our brains, the world would be filled with stress and chaos. As well as stress relief and pain tolerance, endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. In my opinion the best, most effective way to trigger more release of endorphins is through exercise. Runner’s high is an effect way to get the same euphoric feeling from endorphins.
Many runners have had the opportunity to experience a state of euphoria while running. While the actual state that they feel varies immensely for each individual there is a common feeling associated with the term "runner's high". When a person is asked about runner's high they typically will say that it a pleasant state that a runner might experience after a certain distance. This in fact may not be true for only runners though. Skiers, surfers, football players and wrestlers all have "highs" or moments when they feel they are working to their maximum potential and feeling on top of the world. Runner's are not the only types of athletes that experience intense emotional feelings. One must question exactly what is included in this feeling. Defining a "high" may not be all that easy, if there even is such a thing.
The problem is, is there a biochemical explanation for this "runner's high," or is it a purely psychological event (although one can also say psychology is biochemical)? Exercise addiction, similar to substance addiction, seems to suggest that jogger's euphoria could be biochemical. There have been accounts of runners who experience withdrawal symptoms when not exercising - such as edginess, anxiety, and other unpleasant feelings. Research shows that the body produces its own opiate-like peptides, called endorphins, and like morphine, they can cause dependence (Farrell et al. 1982). Thus, this is just one hint suggesting that these "endogenous morphine" compounds may be the chemicals causing all these psychological effects of exercise. In general, endorphins are known to be responsible for pain and pleasure responses in the central nervous system.
Exercise is the key to a happy and healthy life. Exercise helps maintain or obtain a healthy body weight. It’s also a great way to bond with fellow gym attendees. For all you know, your soul mate could be running on the treadmill next to you. Studies show people who exercise are happier overall. Exercise is important in day-to-day life.
Creative new training methods, developed by coaches, athletes and sport scientists, are aimed to help improve the quality and quantity of athletic training ( Kellmann, 2010, p.1). However, these methods have encountered a consistent set of barriers including overtraining ( Kellmann, 2010, p.1). Due to these barriers, the need for physical and mental recovery in athletics brought an increasing attention in practice and in research ( Kellmann, 2010, p.1).
Exercise is often thought of in a positive light. It is common belief in today’s society that a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine will lead to a long, healthy life. And in the simplest sense of the word, it will.
Fitness, no matter how much or how little, allows for endorphins to rush into our bodies and increase happiness. “We all have these neat feel-good neurochemicals just waiting to be released. Virtually any form of exercise, from weight training to yoga, can
People are too overwhelmed to think that it would benefit them. Even taking a jog would require too much of an effort. Because of society’s obligations, the worries of an average everyday routine bring them devastation. It becomes difficult to try to find time within their schedules to squeeze in a time to run. Adding exercise on their to-do list would result in more pressure while trying to reduce stress is the last priority on their mind. However, if they were able to manage their time and duties, making time to get involved in a cardio workout would not be a problem. They would be able to experience the true benefits of exercise and see how it could translate into reducing stress in their lives.
Adding exercises into one’s daily routines can change their whole lifestyle. Many people look at exercise as being something just for people who want to lose weight or to become muscle bound, but there are a great deal of benefits that can be received from exercising regularly. Of course gaining muscle and losing fat are the two most popular reasons that usually attract people to the gym, but they make up a small part of the potential benefits that can be achieved with exercise. There are several ways in which I have benefited in my life from exercising regularly, besides just making me bigger and stronger. It has made me become more organized, helped me make better decisions, and motivated me to take on new challenges in life.
Exercise combats health conditions and diseases: Being active boosts good cholesterol which is HDL and decrease unhealthy triglycerides. Regular physical activity helps you prevent wide range of health diseases like heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, stroke, depression, and metabolic
A Surgeon General's report (Anonymous,1996) addresses the finding that continuous and consistent physical activity is proven to enhance longevity and the quality of life for people of all ages. Furthermore, the report notes that although it has been recognized for years that regular physical activity can lead to substantial health benefits, 60% of American adults are not regularly active, and 25% of the adult population are not active at all. Paffenbarger (1996) states that physical fitness and exercise can reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, some cancers, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, and obesity. Studies also show that exercise can promote psychological well-being and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression (http://www.medgraph.com/aboutexercise.html).
Beginning with exercise affecting people emotionally, exercise can improve people’s moods. Anytime anyone is in a bad mood, exercising can put them in a good one. Mercola tells how people gain happiness from exercising: “According to a 2012 study published in the journal Neuroscience, the “secret” to increased productivity and happiness on any given day is a long-term investment in regular
Exercising helps in many different ways such as gaining muscular strength and ability. A person's desire is to lose weight and have a perfect toned figure, but it also helps ease a lot of other conditions as well. Exercising is considered to be a mood booster. It helps improve self esteem and will lower depression. It will make a person a lot happier, and will help bring a positive reaction in the body. Physical activity is very important for obesity. It is really important for obese children or adults to get some form of exercise in their lives. It can be very beneficial for them and can help prevent long term illnesses. People that exercise on a daily basis do it because it helps them feel more positive about themselves and they will be more energized, motivated and focused for the day. It gives people an excessive amount of happiness.