There are a lot of bad things I could say about running, it’s bad for your knees, bad for your feet, it’s boring at times, it’s too strenous at other times. However, I will say this for running, it’s incredible for relieving stress. There’s something called a “runner’s high” which kicks in at some point and is an incredible place to be mentally. I’ve never achieved this state with walking, elliptical, swimming or weight lifting, only running. Which I suppose is why they call it a “runner’s high”.
About 15 or 20 minutes into a high intensity run, my body and mind get into this zone where everything feels good. Breathing and movement become second thought. All thoughts of stress and worry disappear from my mind. In fact, all thoughts in general disappear and I’m left in this really calm state where everything is good. I can’t describe it but if you’ve been there you know what I’m talking about.
It doesn’t happen every run. If I’m struggling to run then I’m focusing too much on my physical distress. If I’m running too slow then my body doesn’t reach this state and my mind never clears. When it does happen though, it’s like magic. Some people tell me it’s what meditation feels like, that point where you empty your mind of all thought. I wouldn’t know. All I know is that it’s one of the best stress relievers ever.
How To Recreate
You’re going to need a place to run where you can go uninterrupted. Street running is not good for this since you’ll be stopping and starting too many times. Trail running is good as is track running. Treadmills work well. You need to avoid distractions as much as possible, so don’t watch TV while you do this or run with the dog. Music is ok.
Now find a comfortable pace. Something you can keep up for hours. Something that won’t leave you panting and struggling to breath, but at the same time will challenge you enough to get other thoughts out of your mind. At this point just run. In about 15 or 20 minutes, you’ll feel it kick in. Now just clear your head and keep going. Don’t look at the clock, don’t count the seconds or the minutes, just focus on the running.
Why?
So why am I telling you all this? Well, because this is one way in which you can turn running into a pleasurable experience. Too many people see jogging as a chore, a dreaded task to avoid rather than embrace. I see it as a release, a meditative experience where I can leave my worries behind and focus only on the next step. That’s important for two reasons. One, it gets me running more and two, it gets me stressed less. Those are both extremely important to your health.
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What do you do for relaxation and stress relief? Any chance you could combine it with some sort of physical exercise?
Rarely do I connect with “runner’s high” — despite my efforts, and I do keep trying. I’m envious, because I hear so many people speak of it.
The once place where a “runners high” is consistent for me, is during my beach runs. Not always convenient to get there, but when I do, these are always my best runs, so I know that environment can definitely be a factor.
If anyone reading this is near the beach, but has never run there — try it, there is no better place to feel alive and exercise.
It usually take me about 2 miles before I start to get into that zone. Here lately, I haven’t had time to go much beyond 4, so I’ve been missing my dose…
Great post,I’ve always been very reluctant when it comes to running. When I was a bit younger and fitter,I could run the whole day. Now I do 7 miles every week but on tough grounds. The idea of running near the beach will be ideal as I stay 5 miles away from one in dorset. Thanks for all the contribution guys.