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| http://athletelibre.com/blog/ |
When you exercise, you often feel better about yourself after. Some people use exercise as a stress reliever and as a way to cope with drastic life changes. But why do you feel so good after a good run? Or a great day at the gym?
"We know that exercise has been shown to improve the sleep patterns of insomniacs, as well as lower their anxiety. Studies on rats indicate that exercise mimics the effects of antidepressants on the brain. Exercise is also responsible for the creation of new brain cells in the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory" (Scheve). Both happiness and exercise are a boost to the immune system and are caused by the release of endorphins. Endorphins act as both a painkiller and a reward. "You're probably familiar with the term 'runner's high,' which refers to the euphoric feeling one sometimes gets when exercising. Researchers have found that light-to-moderate weight training or cardiovascular exercise doesn't produce endorphins, only heavy weights or training that incorporates sprinting or other anaerobic exertion" (Scheve).
They also both produce antibodies, happiness alone increasing the amount of antibodies by 50%. Exercise has shown to increase the amount of antibodies by 300% and also the amount of T-cells, "the immune system's 'killer cells.' By increasing numbers of 'hunters' (antibodies) and 'killers' (T-cells), it's no wonder a workout keeps you healthier. And since people who exercise tend to report higher levels of happiness, the exercise-induced happiness improves the immune system independent of the physiological effects of the exercise" (Scheve).
Cortisol levels are also lowered during exercise, cortisol being a hormone released in your body during periods of stress. This would suggest why one's feelings of anxiety decreases while working out.
Exercise promotes a healthier immune system and overall puts people in a higher, uplifting mood. So why not exercise every now and then?
Source(s):
Scheve, Tom. "Is There a Link Between Exercise and Happiness?" HowStuffWorks.
HowStuffWorks, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
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Stacie Kussro
Very intriguing to read! I enjoy exercising and do believe it makes you feel better. Its interesting to read about why that happens. Do you know of any other benefits to the immune system can result from frequent exercising?
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting to read. I knew that exercise was good for you, but I didn't know that it had that many positive effects on a person. I would love to learn more about exercise and the specifics of how it boosts the immune system.
ReplyDelete- Jamie R.