Discussion: Mental health benefits

I hear ya - probably more important than the physical ones, in fact. After all, it's rare to feel worse after running than during it :)

I think they may be more important than the physical ones too! And with the happiness comes greater confidence.

Walking has the same benefits and is gentler on dodgy joints.

My dog now perambulates so slowly that walking him doesn't count as exercise, but we do stop so that I can stretch in the park...

Yes, even though walking is supposed to have the same benefits, it doesn't seem to for me, and l just get slower and slower.. I think l need the intensity for the oxygenation process to work.

On the side issue - I am doing a mini research project on the times/scores I achieve on a puzzle before and after a gym session. If I were to put forward a null hypothesis - it'd be fine!!!

It's all about the endorphins. One of my friends used to say she was addicted to them and had to do a 20-min jog every day!

I remember years ago when Julie wanted to do 10k and I wanted to run 20 one Sunday morning. I ran ten k and then she joined for the second 10k. After about five minutes of running together she told me to stop being so happy as it was annoying.

*many years ago.

The endorphins seem to be a distant memory. I used to experience that sensation that I just wanted the running to contnue forever, but only after an hour of running, and only sometimes. Running and walking are still both great for lifting mood though.

I don't get the endorphin rush while running very often any more either, but definitely feel better for having done it afterwards.

Around the 50s there is a balance between aches and pains and endorphins. After that aches and pains wins every time.