But, it is worth it. If you look hard enough, you'll see alternatives to an unhappy, stuck, chemically-dependent life everywhere. Now all you have to do is go out there and do it. Because not only does sustained activity improve physical fitness, it also triggers a surge in the body's production of endorphins, the chemical messengers that act in the brain to increase positive feelings and reduce stress. It's not hype.
Runners do report an expanded sense of well-being after a run.
But increased endorphin levels have been linked to activities other than running. In fact, recent research shows that any intense physical exercise can trigger the same response. That means that swimming, walking, or almost anything else that gets the heart thumping and the muscles pumping can inspire a major uplift in mood and outlook. After all, you've been doing what you feel like all along. And look where it's got you.