Expert: Linda Erwin, M.S. - 11/29/2007

Question
hi, i hope you can answer my question:

everyone's heard of the runner's high and that exercising releases endorphins in your brain which makes you feel good and de-stresses you. but i've never had that experience. i ran track for 4 years in high school and now occasionally go to the gym, but apart from feeling a sense of accomplishment, i've never felt "high" after a workout. nor have i ever felt de-stressed. why is this? is there something wrong with me?

thanks!

Answer
Hi Irene,
The runner's high is just a sense of well being.  If you have a stressful life, aerobic exercise for at least 45 minutes will give you a sense of wellness.  Any aerobic activity is a way of managing the stress hormones that get released in your body.  Of course everyone is different and will experience things differently.
If you ran track in high school you were probably concentrating on winning track meets, etc.  Most high schoolers don't know much about endorphins or managing stress hormones.  If you aren't exercising now you won't get the chance to experience what long term working out does for you.
I encourage you to go back to working out on a regular basis. You don't have to run if you don't want to.  Walking fast will do the same.  Good luck!
Linda