mercredi 27 mai 2015

Home » , , » 7 Ways to Make Your Post-Workout High Last Longer

7 Ways to Make Your Post-Workout High Last Longer

By  21:52  No comments

It's the moment when you feel like you could run a marathon after completing a workout. Whether you just kicked butt in a kickboxing class or released unwanted toxins from hot yoga, that natural post-workout high is something everyone wants to last as long as possible. Shape Magazine tells us seven ways to make your post-workout high last longer. Check out how easy it is to tack on these steps after your workout.

You hear a lot about a runner's high. But, really, any activity that gets your heart rate up for 30 minutes or more will trigger the release of endorphins (like anandamide) that are similar to THC, the chemical responsible for the high you get from marijuana, according to research from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Those chemicals are why you feel that buzzy, happy glow after hitting the gym. But, the downside is that the feeling wears off faster than you'd like. Luckily, these tips can help you fight the fade, and make your post-gym high last longer. (And, by the way, Science Is Trying to Decode the Runner's High, so you can maximize your potential.)

Go Hard

Prolonging your natural high starts with getting the biggest boost possible during your sweat session-something to remember when you're powering through the last 10 seconds of your next plank. When you're in pain, your body releases natural opiate-like endorphins with the same buzz-inducing (and ache-numbing) properties as their chemical cousins, says Matt Bellace, Ph.D., author of A Better High. To get the best, longest-lasting high, then, you've got to get uncomfortable during your workout. Add some sprints into your run, grab a heavier weight than usual, push out an extra set… You'll thank yourself later. (Punishment Can Be a Key Incentive for Exercise.) 

Take It Outside

For a more sustained high, Bellace suggests opting for outdoor workouts like hiking, surfing, or swimming. Research has shown that fresh air (especially what's around oceans and mountains) contains negative ions, molecules that have an extra mood-boosting effect on the body. 

Sweat With a Friend

People who work out with friends tend to enjoy their sweat sesh more and exercise harder, studies show. (Learn six more reasons Why Having a Fitness Buddy Is the Best Thing Ever.) And that translates into a happier post-workout glow.

Spread the Joy

Savoring these moments of euphoria are as important as experiencing them in the first place: When you fail to focus on good things, the resulting mood boost is weaker and shorter-lived, according to findings from the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. The easiest way to hold onto your happiness is by sharing with friends, directly or via social media posts, says Bellace. Doing so encourages you to reflect on and feel gratitude for your blessings, which deepens the pleasure you experience. Plus, when you look back on these posts or texts later, you get to relive the high. (The Right-and Wrong-Ways to Use Social Media for Weight Loss.) 

Fuel Up

Eating something tasty releases dopamine in the pleasure center of the brain, says Bellace. And while sugar and caffeine will give you a short-term rush, they can also lead to a crash-especially if you eat them after a workout, when your muscles are screaming for wholesome nutrients. A better bet: these nutrition expert-approved post-workout foods. 

Get Busy

First of all, studies have shown that exercise boosts genital arousal-so you'll already want to have sex. Plus, a roll in the hay will flood your body with more feel-good endorphins and hormones, bringing your workout-induced bliss to the next level. Pro tip: You might want to hit the showers first. (See 5 Surprising Reasons to Have Sex Tonight.)

Pump Up the Tunes

You might already listen to a playlist during your workout, but keep the music cranked up after you've cooled down too. Listening to music you like can cause your brain to release dopamine, according to researchers from McGill University. That explains why your favorite song (hey, "Uptown Funk"!) can make you feel so happy-even on your hundreth listen-and may mean that if you keep iTunes playing once you leave the gym, you can keep the good feelings going too. 



Source POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1J2sth9


Related Posts:

  • Start Dropping Pounds Today With These 100 Quick Weight-Loss Tips Losing weight is a journey made up of a million healthy choices we make each day. So keep these 100 tips in mind to continue on that healthy path, little by little. Source POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1vHR826 … Read More
  • A Natural Approach: 3 Sunburn Remedies Prevention is the key to burn-free skin, but sometimes SPF lotion and a cute hat don't stand up to the Summer sun. Once you've been burned, start out by replenishing your fluids from the inside out by drinking plenty of wate… Read More
  • Top 10 Highest-Calorie Beers (and the 10 Lowest!) Summer wouldn't be the same without cooling off with an ice-cold beer. If grabbing a beer is your go-to beverage but you're trying to stick to a healthy diet, it's important to know the calorie counts of common brands. Check… Read More
  • Know Your Cookout Calories If Memorial Day means firing up the grill, overdoing it could be one reason you're feeling bloated in your bikini. If you arm yourself with the calorie count information below, you can celebrate the beginning of Summer witho… Read More
  • Stay Cool in the Pool: Cardio Water Workout Cool off while you workout, but skip the crawl and backstroke. You can burn a bunch of calories in the pool - no swimming required. Here are five moves that will get your heart rate up while keeping you refreshed. Add o… Read More

0 comments:

Enregistrer un commentaire