- A good run can sometimes make you feel like a brand-new person. And, in a way, that feeling may be literally true. About three decades of research in neuroscience have identified a robust link between aerobic exercise and subsequent cognitive clarity, and to many in this field the most exciting recent finding in this area is that of neurogenesis. Not so many years ago, the brightest minds in neuroscience thought that our brains got a set amount of neurons, and that by adulthood, no new neurons would be birthed. But this turned out not to be true. Studies in animal models have shown that new neurons are produced in the brain throughout the lifespan, and, so far, only one activity is known to trigger the birth of those new neurons: vigorous aerobic exercise, said Karen Postal, president of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology. “That’s it,” she said. “That’s the only trigger that we know about.”
Ok the topic of music, I love listening to music elsewhere (car, home, work), but I never do it running. I love just listening to my footsteps, my breath and the world around me. I'm not sure if I notice a particular boost on a run day, but I've felt better overall ever since I started running (and doing other exercise) more regularly.
Do you have an occupation with periodic intense stressful periods? I teach middle school and have found in the last couple of years that I'm best prepared for really busy and intense days when I've gotten up a half hour early for a morning run. Usually a two to three mile fast run. Maybe toss in some sprints if the day ahead is scheduled tightly. Having all of the endorphins in me, I've noticed, helped me keep my head and I find myself making some unusually good solutions to the stuff the day may throw at me. I've sold a half hour of sleep for hours of peace and level-headedness. Have you done similarly?
I think I do the opposite of what you do. I mostly run after work, and some of my more stressful days aren't known until it happens (e.g. something going wrong and needing a solution ASAP). For me running becomes the decompression. It's a tough day at work, but I had a run planned. My run schedule is pretty disciplined these days, so a tough day doesn't mean skipping a run. Three to six miles at a comfortable (not fast but not easy) pace before I even get home and I feel content.
Same as you mostly. Stressful day at work? oh look, I'm going to zone out for (insert distance here), and you know what? After the run I usually feel great. Alternatively, I just got done running and am already so excited over the fact that I'm going running again tomorrow, even though it's a solo run.
I've used running to keep away the various life stressors/depressors for the past 40 years and no other "treatment" has worked as well for this experiment of one. Being in the Northeast when the winter weather makes it impossible to run for any length of time, I can practically feel the change slowly creep over me. I have to think besides the new neurons produced, it allows a balancing of the neurochemical soup we are. P.S. - this is my 1st post on hubski, I hope it was mildly interesting.