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The Best Prescription: Ten Powerful Ways Exercise Acts as Medicine
Why I move
Movement means many things to me. It’s a hobby. It’s a necessity. It’s a pathway to better discipline. An open door to knowing the self on a deeper level. It’s an outlet. An escape. It’s work. It’s fun. It’s painful at times. It’s delightful at times.
As I grow older, and dare I say wiser, I’ve come to realize that, above all, movement is a gift. One that we take for granted far more than we should.
There are very few ways to derive health from within.
Even fewer that are completely free.
Movement is one of them.
Movement boosts neurotransmitters in the nervous system. The function of ‘happy brain chemicals’ such as serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin all increase after a bout of physical activity. This leads to a myriad of benefits from enhanced emotional regulation and elevated mood, to improved digestive function and motivation levels.
Movement increases the activity of endocannabinoids in the bloodstream to activate the same receptor that various psychoactive drugs do (yes, like marijuana). This can provide pain relief and an elevated sense of calm. It’s a natural opioid, but much, much safer (and cheaper) than the manufactured stuff.
