The terms
“natural high” or “runner’s high” is associated with the euphoric feeling
experienced when one hits the “sweet spot” during running or a very vigorous,
high intensity exercise routine. Some call this high their “drug of choice”. While
running produces the majority of reported highs, many fitness enthusiasts
believe rigorous cardio, cross fit and resistance training can produce 50 – 75%
of a runner’s high. Below are 28 vivid descriptions how it really feels from
those who have reached this seemingly unattainable pinnacle.
From Quora
----“Runner’s high will generally refer to that euphoric sensation that
our body gives after hard work and pain. After a longer run, I always feel like
I’m floating on air. In general I just feel really happy! Runner’s high can
also refer to just the simple satisfaction that you get after running, or the
happiness you get as a result of the achievement of knowing you ran. For the
euphoric sensation, usually it will start up around 4 miles into a run, and
will last until about 1–2 hours after I finish running.”
----“On a usual day with normal mood, runner’s high for me lasts more
than 4 hours. The good thing is that it motivates you to do better, push
yourself, think clearly and forms a virtuous cycle that may continue for the
rest of the day or even to next day.”
From Reddit
----“That
intense, tingly, cold feeling that you sometimes get with music - but this was
unlike anything I've ever experienced - it went on and on, and my whole body
was tingling, from scalp to tips of toes.”
----“My pain
goes away suddenly and I feel like I can run forever. It's a pretty cool
feeling, I feel very powerful and strong.”
----“For me
the pain does not go away, it just starts to be a good feeling (even though it’s
painful) and my heart just goes MORE, MORE, MORE! PUSH HARDER!”
----“For me,
my whole body gets tingly, running feels effortless, pace almost always goes up
unconsciously, and the world slows down. Most of the time I don't feel like I'm
actually making contact with the ground.”
----“A feeling
of euphoria comes over me. I love what I'm doing and love everyone I see. Life
and running seem incredibly profound and I grin from ear to ear.”
----“Your
brain starts thinking in a different way, and you stop thinking about running
at all...then you feel like you can run forever.”
----“I cry a
little bit. The high is kind of a massive overload for me.”
----“For me,
it just feels like I could go and go and never stop. It's so great. You just
feel amazing.”
----“To me
it is an overall sense of calm, like all the problems and worries of the world
are gone and the only things out there are you and the road. Then during the
cool down I feel as if I can accomplish anything, write a symphony, climb a
mountain, whatever I want. It’s great and it’s why I am hooked on running.”
----“I'll
get the runner's high after a particularly hard run. One time after a race, I
was high fiving all of my team mates and hugging everyone. I couldn't stop
smiling and I felt like I could go running again.”
----“Breathing
is suddenly effortless and just happening in rhythm with your body, you feel
your spine straighten and hold yourself up, your legs and arms get lighter, and
everything feels... synced. As though up until then your various inner devices
and processes were trying to match up but failing before suddenly clicking and
working together.”
----“I feel
really light on my feet, and it doesn't hurt anymore like no stitches and
stuff. And it’s weird but I get this great sense of euphoria and get a really
childish smile on my face. It's like when you fancy someone and they tell you
that they like you too.”
----“I hit
my stride, all the pain goes away. I feel like I am on a cloud.”
----“It was
a very mellow chill type of feeling. The creative side of my brain would
actually kick in and I could write poems and stuff just out of nowhere. It's
what I imagine songwriters can do naturally. The opiate comparisons are
correct. Since it's a release of endorphins, the same chemicals that the body
produces to reduce pain in your body, and opiates are more or less a synthetic
version of them. It rewards the pleasure center of your brain and then you want
more.”
----“Runner’s high for me is different than many describe. It is when my
brain shuts off. Literally, my mind completely escapes reality and the normal
stresses of life. When this happens, all I can hear is the repeating pattern of
my feet and my breathing. I think I'm hypnotized or something as I won't
remember half of my run. When the run is done I feel completely renewed in a
calm and peaceful way.”
----“For me
it is that time when suddenly my pace gets stronger, lighter and easier even
after I've been running for a while and had started to get tired - runner's
high kicks in and that goes away. For me it lasts for a while even after I am
done. It's a mild euphoric feeling. I find myself unable to resist smiling in
the home stretch after it kicks in. After I am done I have incredible energy.
It does wonders to uplift my mood. I wish it lasted for a lot longer than it
did.”
----“My
runners high: Everything is amazing. It includes the way my body feels (it's
loving the running, the sore muscles, the sweat on my skin) as well as my
outlook on life. It's like your brain is flooded with optimism and joy.”
----“I feel
like a gazelle; bouncy, light and like I could run forever. I get mad
philosophical and introspective too.”
----“It
feels like I'm watching someone run from a first person view through an Oculus
Rift.”
----“For me, it is a time warp. All of sudden I will think ‘Where am I?
What just happened?’ Then I have to think back and actually remember that I did
run the last five miles or whatever.”
From Class Pass
----“A
feeling of complete effortlessness. You’re in your groove, and it’s almost
easier to keep running rather than stop. I forget about my body and any
discomfort disappears because I’m totally in my head, lost in my thoughts. It’s
almost an out-of-body experience, and the closest I’ve come to it is in
meditation class. You’re aware of what’s going on around you, but so present,
so in the moment, that you’re just appreciating everything surrounding you
and hoping it’ll last.”
----“It’s
that euphoric feeling where my mind is all of a sudden significantly clearer. I
feel a lot lighter emotionally — all of my worries and anxieties start to
subside — and I feel instantly lighter on a physical level. It’s almost like
feeling sluggish and gross, and then hitting a giant reset button. All my
problems are fixed (at least until the next run!).”
----“It took
me until I was 23 and in really good physical shape to get into running. I’m a
teacher, so I started working out regularly with a group of women at my school.
One day, I had a terrible day at work and no one could work out with me, so I
went for a run. It cleared my head completely, and after that, I couldn’t get
enough of running. It’s been two years now of consistent running, and almost
every run I go on, I have a clear mind and extreme energy. I feel empowered and
strong, and I know that’s my runner’s high — that feeling that I am driven, in
control, energetic and making my body and mind stronger with each step.”
----“Running
for me is what I like to call my ‘drug of choice.’ It offers me great euphoria
and a pleasant feeling of accomplishment that motivates me throughout my day.
On the days that I cannot get my run in early, I become tired and cranky, often
leading to somewhat of a withdrawal feeling. I usually get a solid run in at
some point during the day, as it’s truly become somewhat of an obsession
because I’m addicted to the change in mood I get from completing my run.
It’s the one thing I can honestly say that I do solely for myself, however, my
family members also benefit because I am easier to live with once I have gotten
my run in that day.”
From
Women’s Running
----“Something
even greater happened for me out on that day though—the release and
freedom of running. The release of all this pent-up anxiety in my body that I
hadn’t found an outlet for until now. When I was first diagnosed with anxiety,
my doctor told me that I had high levels of adrenaline running through my body,
and had I not had really low blood pressure, they likely would have put me on a
beta blocker instead of an anti-anxiety medication.
“In running
I had found a way to release some of that pent-up adrenaline that did not
involve bringing my heart to a slower pace. I entered the house that day
feeling at ease and calm, something I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I was
hooked. Right then and there I knew I was onto something. Glen, my husband,
could tell too. He saw a more relaxed, calm, easy wife—and he liked it.”
Bottom Line From Berkeley Wellness
“Even if you
don’t experience the classic runner’s high of sheer exhilaration, exercise
generally produces a sense of well being and can improve mood and sleep, among
other benefits, over the long term—not to mention the physical payoffs. If
you’re not getting any immediate pleasure from your workouts, however, you might
try changing the intensity level to see if that makes a difference. Or try a
different activity or location. Exercising outdoors on a beautiful day, for
example, is more pleasurable than, say, running on a treadmill in a crowded
windowless gym. Working out with a partner or in a group may also enhance your
workout due to the added social benefit.”
Sources
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/1nbmjc/what_does_the_runners_high_actually_feel_like/
Women’s Running http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2015/04/inspiration/real-runners-i-finally-discovered-the-runners-high_38406#s3BkYI2GmVgoQrUB.97
Additional Resources
35 Amazing Health Benefits of Running, According to Science (+10 Tips for Beginners) https://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/health-benefits-of-running.html
35 Amazing Health Benefits of Running, According to Science (+10 Tips for Beginners) https://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/health-benefits-of-running.html
How Exercise Makes You Happy (infographic) http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/how-exercise-makes-you-happy-infographic
Preliminary Research: To Your Brain, A Runner’s High Looks A Lot Like Smoking Weed http://www.popsci.com/runners-high-looks-lot-like-smoking-weed-in-brain
Surprising Way To Alleviate or Delay Parkinson’s Disease http://www.mybestbuddymedia.com/2015/03/surprising-way-to-alleviate-.html
The Case Against Pot: 12 Mind-Altering Proofs http://www.mybestbuddymedia.com/2014/08/cannabis-17-quick-undeniable-facts.html
Natural High: The Effects of Exercise On Depression http://www.mybestbuddymedia.com/2014/02/exercise-depression.html
Only 10 Minutes? The Fitness Claim That Delivers http://www.mybestbuddymedia.com/2013/12/fitness-exercise.html
Snapshot: 23 Exercise Benefits http://www.mybestbuddymedia.com/2012/12/snapshot-23-exercise-benefits.html
Undisputed Secret to the Healthy Senior Brain http://www.mybestbuddymedia.com/2012/10/undisputed-secret-to-healthy-senior.html
The Wonder Drug That Never Fails http://www.mybestbuddymedia.com/2012/09/thewonder-drug-that-never-fails-theres.html
Photos:
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/467741111272462719/
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/85849936616766142/
Jerry De Luca is a Christian freelance writer who loves perusing dozens of interesting and informative publications. When he finds any useful info he summarizes it, taking the main points, and creates a (hopefully) helpful blog post.
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