Why you need to feel the Pain to Gain the Endorphin Rush
Here to talk about something important – endorphins. Now I know some of you think meditation and yoga are the keys to feeling good, but as far as I’m concerned nothing beats a good old fashioned sweat.
Endorphins are the feel-good chemicals our bodies produce when we work hard. Some folks like to think you can trick your body into releasing them with calm music and deep breathing, but as far as I’m concerned that’s hogwash. If you ain’t feeling the burn, you ain’t getting the natural high.
Endorphins are produced by your pituitary gland and your hypothalamus, and they act on the opioid receptors in your brain. Basically what this means is that they block pain signals from being received, which gives you that runners’ high feeling. Studies have shown endorphins can reduce perceptions of pain, trigger positive feelings like pleasure or euphoria, and may even help relieve stress and anxiety.
The best way to get that endorphin rush is through exercise that gets your heart rate up. I’m talking good old fashioned running, hitting the trails on your mountain bike, swimming laps in the pool. Personally I like to throw in some burpees, pushups and squat jumps for good measure. The key is working hard enough that you break a sweat. Imagine yourself doing an interval workout, taking it to the edge but pushing through the burn.
You might feel some discomfort at first but power through – those are just the endorphins building up, waiting to be released. Stick with it and before you know it you’ll be floating on a natural high. Who needs meditation when you can feel this good through good old pain? Get out there and work for it folks – no pain, no gain, but all that sweet, sweet relief!