I love running from Bondi to Malabar, and from Bondi to watsons bay. I would love to run in every city in the world…
Running makes you release endorphins, if you run for long enough you may release Beta Endorphins too. Beta endorphins are more powerful than normal endorphins.
That’s why people that exercise intensively on a regular basis get addicted to it!
Optic flow is a term that neuroscientists use.
Optic flow quiets some of the circuits that are responsible for stress.
When you’re running or walking you’re experiencing optic flow. This calms your amygdala down.
The brain has 2 amygdala one on each side.
People with depression often have abnormal patterns of cerebral blood flow, especially in the left hemisphere.
The amygdala and it’s connections to the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia influence our behaviours when we’re pursuing rewards or avoiding punishments.
If people experience stress for a long time their amygdala grow and their hippocampus shrinks.
The hippocampus is responsible for neurogenesis, this is a term that describes the creation of new brain cells, and neuroscientists believe that the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus creates 700 new neurons every day, this is why the brain can change. It’s called neuroplasticity.
So if you get into optic flow every morning this habit will protect your amygdala and make you less reactive and more relaxed.
Healthy people have smaller amygdala and a larger hippocampus.
I don’t recommend running every single day.
Variety is important for the brain and the body.
Engagement and satisfaction decreases if you keep doing the same thing over and over again.
Dopamine flows more when you have a reasonable amount of spontaneity in your life.
But its important to be consistent too!
I love yoga, Qi gong, kung fu, kayaking, sailing and meditating in full lotus on a rock somewhere.
Spice up your life and try something different, run, swim, go rock climbing, enjoy the great outdoors and get out of your comfort zone at least once a month…!
If you have the DRD4 7R gene then exercise is even more important… it will help to keep you balanced.
#growthmindset