What Is an Exercise High?
Diana Ketchen
Exercises & Fitness
|
Healthy Lifestyle
5 minute read
What Is an Exercise High?
People often wonder what the best part of working out is. Is it the sense of accomplishment you feel after a tough workout? The feeling of euphoria that comes with a good sweat? While all those things are great, for many people, the best thing about working out is the exercise high.
Yes, that's right – those glorious few moments during and after a workout when your energy is high, your mood is good, and you feel like you can take on the world.
If you're unfamiliar with the phenomenon, here are some reasons exercise highs are one of the best things about working out.
Define What an “Exercise High” Is
Feeling an "exercise high" is a sensation experienced after a moderate to intense workout that leaves you feeling elated and on top of the world. It occurs due to changes in the body's levels of endorphins, hormones released in response to physical activity, creating an overall feeling of euphoria.
Exercise highs can take many forms; for some people, it's more of a calming sense of being relaxed and content; others experience increased energy, confidence, and sensory clarity. This sensation usually lasts a few minutes and is at its peak when your heart rate reaches or exceeds 65 percent of its maximum rate during exercise.
Everyday activities that help trigger an exercise high include running, biking, and swimming; team sports such as soccer and basketball; circuit training; rowing; dancing - and even household chores like gardening or sweeping!
No matter what type of exercise you choose, remember that getting into the habit of movement is key if you want to experience all the benefits of an exercise high. That includes not only feeling physically better afterward but mentally energized too!
Describe the Feeling of an “Exercise High”
Everyone knows the feeling of a good workout, but there is something special about getting into the groove of an intense exercise session. From reaching that new peak heart rate to finally finishing up one last rep, exercising can bring a high, unlike any other.
This exercise high usually kicks in after a few minutes into your routine and can be described as a feeling of euphoria coupled with strong focus and clarity of the moment. You may experience physical symptoms such as increased energy, alertness, and focus, but exercisers also often feel mental benefits like enhanced self-confidence or reduced stress levels.
People who have experienced the "runner's high" have often likened it to the blissful sensation of being just slightly detached from reality. It is no wonder why so many people have come to rely on regular exercise to inject a much-needed shot of happiness into their lives.
Whether going for an extra mile on your run or pushing yourself just past your comfort zone at the gym, these are all opportunities to feel that rewarding "exercise high."
Explain How To Get an “Exercise High”
Working up a sweat can be one of the best feelings out there. What's more, it can actually make you feel good – not just physically, but mentally too. That feeling is often referred to as an "exercise high," It occurs when physical activity triggers your body to start releasing endorphins.
To achieve this feeling, it takes an extended effort; simply walking around the block won't cut it. Instead, to get the most out of your workout and experience an exercise high, try challenging yourself with strenuous activity for at least thirty minutes, such as running or weightlifting.
Kick up the intensity gradually throughout that time, too – you may add intervals (periods of increased effort) between short breaks to maximize your gains. Not only will you improve your physical condition, but by increasing the intensity, you'll eventually reach a point where those glorious endorphins kick in and give you that all-important exercise high!
Now that's sure to have you looking forward to working out instead of dreading it.
List the Benefits of an “Exercise High”
Have you ever exercised and felt an overwhelming sense of joy or energy immediately after? The good news is you're experiencing a phenomenon known as an "exercise high," and it comes with a range of benefits.
Exercise releases endorphins that can generate feelings of euphoria and reduce stress levels while also boosting your immune system and improving your overall mood. Engaging in regular physical activity can also help to boost confidence, decrease symptoms of depression, lower levels of anxiety, increase creativity, and improve focus.
Exercise highs are a great way to get a natural dose of happiness—and the best part is that because the effects are transitory, you don't need to build a tolerance like with other drugs! So grab your sneakers and enjoy the power of the exercise high!
Achieving an Exercise High!
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The "exercise high" is a sensation experienced after a moderate to intense workout that leaves you feeling elated and on top of the world due to changes in the body's levels of endorphins.
-
Exercise highs can take many forms; for some people, it's more of a calming sense of being relaxed and content; others experience increased energy, confidence, and sensory clarity.
-
Common activities that help trigger an exercise high include running, biking, and swimming; team sports such as soccer and basketball; circuit training; rowing; dancing - and even household chores like gardening or sweeping!
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It takes an extended effort to achieve this feeling: try challenging yourself with strenuous activity for at least thirty minutes.
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