The runner’s high is a beautiful thing. If you’ve never experienced it then you might want to consider giving running a chance. Many people I talk to say they hate running and they can’t see why so many people do it. Well I too, used to hate running. I only did it out of necessity to train for basketball or football. But when I got to college and I wasn’t playing intensive competitive sports anymore I started running as not only a means to get in better shape but as recreation. By senior year I was running almost every day. It had become a part of my life that I actually looked forward to. Whereas before it had been a chore and a means to an end, now it was the end and I began to really enjoy it. It was around this time that I began experiencing the runner’s high consistently.
How to get the runner’s high
The first time you run it is unlikely you’ll experience the high. It may take several times or even a few weeks of running. I find that it also helps to run longer distances. So when you are starting out and not running as far, it is unlikely you will experience it. but after some consistency and lengthening of your runs you should start to notice the feeling.
What does the runner’s high feel like?
The runner’s high can be subtle. Sometimes it merely feels like you’ve hit a pleasant rhythm in your run and feel like you could continue on forever. Other times you might find your mind drifting off to solve all the problems of the world in a neat and manageable way. In between, you’ll find the sweet spot of a light euphoric feeling that melts away the problems of your life. In the middle of good run, everything seems more achievable and less stressful.
Benefits to Everyday life
When running becomes a consistent part of your life you will notice that you feel different not just when you’re running but all time. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that the more time your mind spends experiencing the runner’s high the more stress-free you will feel in general. You will also start to look forward to your runs more and more. This type of rhythm is very good for your mental state. Running is good for you both physically and psychologically so when running becomes your reward, your treat at the end of the workday, you’ll feel really good about taking care of yourself. There are so many ways people cope with stress: watching TV, having a drink, smoking a cigarette, but running is better than coping. Instead of getting a short-term rush from a beer, running gives you and your body long-term strength. And the runner’s high is better than any drug-induced one.
How to fit running into your life
Many of us live busy lives with loads of responsibilities. So how do you fit running into your life? Well, remember that you need to start slow. When I’ve taken a break from running, be it a week or, god forbid, a month, I usually start with a fifteen-minute daily run to get back into it. juggling a busy schedule can be one of the hardest things in life but dedicating fifteen minutes to something that will promote long-term health for you (and by extension, your family) could be the most important addition to your life.
Perhaps you don’t have more that fifteen minutes to set aside. That’s okay. You don’t have to work up to running for hours on end. You can merely increase your speed when you feel up to it. Maybe you start by running one mile and by the end of the month you are up to two miles in fifteen minutes. Increasing your speed incrementally will also produce positive results in your mind and body even if you’re only running for a short amount of time.
What are you waiting for?
Motivation is the hardest part of any training. But is you are serious about improving your mind and body you need to start now. it may not be fun for the first week and you may not experience a runner’s high for another week after that. But if you keep up with it I promise it will be worth it.
As I’m writing this, it’s almost the end of April. The way I think about my running is to ask myself where I want to be at the end of May. I always think one month ahead: how do I want to feel? From there I edit my schedule and give myself time for running. If there’s one thing in life you won’t regret, it’s taking care of your body. Running is a good place to start.
