Why Exercise Makes You Feel Good

Have you ever finished a workout and then suddenly realized how incredibly blissed out and happy you felt afterwards? The air seems a little bit crisper, the sun a little bit brighter? It almost seems like you’ve just taken some potent, mood-altering drugs?

If you’ve taken a Bootique Fitness boot camp class, you know the exact good feeling exercise that I’m talking about! This phenomenon, also known as “runner’s high,” takes place in the control centers of our bodies, our brains.

It used to be nothing more than a popular hypothesis, however German researchers have recently proven that intense exercise does in fact flood the brain with endorphins, which are kind of like our body’s natural occurring morphine (minus the risk of addiction). Endorphins are what are responsible for the often euphoric feeling you feel after a good workout. The more endorphins that are released, the greater the effect, and the more blissed out you feel after exercising.

Good Feeling Exercise can be addicting!

It’s no wonder with all those endorphins floating around that exercise can be addicting! It just makes you feel incredibly good. It’s like an antidepressant but with only positive side effects. In fact, research has also proven that exercise is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression.

According to WebMD.com, regular exercise has also been proven to:

• Reduce stress
• Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression
• Boost self-esteem
• Improve sleep

Effects keep multiplying

It makes sense though, right? It seems like whenever you do something good for your body, it will let you know with some kind of positive reinforcement. Whether it be exercise, cleaning up your diet, or just taking yourself in general. The same thing goes for when you don’t treat your body right. How many times have you regretted having had one too many drinks after having to pay the price the morning after? Our bodies know what are and what aren’t good for us!

Exercising in a group setting, like with the lovely ladies at boot camp, is also beneficial for those suffering from depression because having support from others is an important part of the healing process. Working out in a positive environment is great for so many reasons, including the positive social aspect that comes with it.

So if you have a friend whose confided in you about feeling depressed or down, bring them to boot camp to show them how good they can feel! Or maybe even next time you’re feeling down and out, remember that you always have the choice to come and get your endorphin rush on. 🙂