13. Running Happy

Running Happy

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,

 but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Last year, I came across an article from Psychology Today about the effect of smiling, and how the physical act of smiling has a direct effect on both your brain and your body. I've linked it here in case you are interested in reading it, but below is the part that got my attention:

How Smiling Affects Your Brain
     Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness.
     For starters, smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress. Neuropeptides are tiny molecules that allow neurons to communicate. They facilitate messaging to the whole body when we are happy, sad, angry, depressed, excited. The feel good neurotransmitters dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are all released when a smile flashes across your face as well. This not only relaxes your body, but it can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
     The endorphins also act as a natural pain reliever - 100% organically and without the potential negative side effects of synthetic concoctions.
     Finally, the serotonin release brought on by your smile serves as an anti-depressant/mood lifter. Many of today’s pharmaceutical anti-depressants also influence the levels of serotonin in your brain, but with a smile, you again don’t have to worry about negative side effects – and you don’t need a prescription from your doctor.

Armed with this research, I decided to conduct my own experiment on smiling and running. No doubt, some people along my running routes may perceive me to be some sort of happy-jogging lunatic. But, frankly, I would prefer that to them thinking that I am in desperate need of an ambulance. So I smile when I run. If I start feeling tired, I make sure I'm smiling and it peps me up. Even if I am on a solo training run deep in the woods, I smile, and I think I can even feel the trees smiling back at me.

So far, I consider my research in running (s)miles to be an overwhelming success, meriting continued study and application to all aspects of life. In the running realm, here is what I have learned:

• I do feel better when I run if I am smiling.
• I enjoy the run more.
• My legs feel stronger.
• My form stays cleaner.
• People smile back at me.
• I'm more focused on what I enjoy about running.
• Even if I am "multi-tasking" and thinking about other things that need to be addressed when the run is over, there is a clarity of mind that helps me focus.
• The "runner's high" is not a myth.
• Running is a great stress relief, and I am more likely to finish feeling positive if I am smiling, rather than just tired.
• When you are running a race, it means the photographers are more likely to get a good picture of you. Because you are smiling!

I know that the list can be much longer, and as I continue, perhaps I'll return to edit this list. Until then...

Happy "Running Happy"!

Up next: 2014 Big Goal: 100 KM Training Principles