Yesterday, I hit the Grind for the 4th time this year. It was a beautiful, cool day for it and I cherish any excuse I can get to sweat outdoors. Generally when I'm running, I'm always listening to music but when I'm at Grouse, there's so many interesting creatures as well as sounds/calls you hear. Half the time, I'm turning down my music to listen. Even though the Grind is an intense hike, I don't want it to end. (Well, maybe eventually. ;-)
Monday, I went to the stinky, stuffy gym where I see ladies play on their iPhones or spend their entire workouts texting or talking on their Blackberries. The only "sounds/calls" I hear is gossip or canned music pumped through the speakers. Ten minutes into my treadmill running regimen, I find myself staring at the clock and wishing it was over.
Then, I've started thinking about how the "Runner's High" actually works. Endorphins can be produced/released after a lengthier amount of time of strenuous exercise (along with other chemicals like epinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine) but is there actually enough to produce this euphoric feeling? Honestly, I've never had the "runner's high" when running on a treadmill. I've also had some miserable out-and-back runs in less than desirable (industrial/pavement loaded) areas. I know how rejuvenated I can be when just doing a light hike through nature and I don't need to have sweat flying off me to feel that, either.
There have been studies on how biodiversity can have a great positive impact on mental wellness of people. So places that are abundant in plants, birds, animals, etc. have a much higher psychological benefit as opposed to staring at four walls all day. Who woulda thunk, eh? So if you've been running on a treadmill and still finding yourself miserable five minutes later, go outside, hug a tree, feed a squirrel and bat off some mosquitoes, you'll probably feel a lot better for it. Thanks for reading! :)
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