When we start exercising, it is common for us to need time and effort to get used to it, we need a lot of self-control and a lot of willpower for sport to be really part of our routine, now, once the habit is established, it may become an absolutely indispensable activity in our lives without even realizing it.
Sport brings us many benefits, from better fitness, a healthier appearance, to increasing our positive emotions, but can it get to the point where it becomes harmful?Yes of course. If sport becomes the center of our lives, it can become an obsession with the good sensations it brings, practice and its sensations will never be enough and we will always want more, an example of this is racing addiction.
- “Putting miles into your daily workout is like investing money in the bank.
- You’ll never be satisfied with the profits.
- ? Hal Higdon-.
Sports contribute to a better state of health. On the one hand, it helps us prevent cardiovascular problems and other chronic diseases, as well as reduce the risk of premature death; on the other hand, it improves our mood and promotes positive emotions; it also affects sleep quality. the special benefits of running?
“Running is like an ideal antidepressant because it’s hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. -Mount Davis-
The euphoria felt by the runner – also known as runner’s euphoria – is a well-studied phenomenon. It is a neurobiological reward that occurs when we run long distances, its consequences are well defined: it improves mood, produces a sense of well-being and causes a decrease in pain sensations.
What does it take to make running addictive and therefore harmful if it was previously beneficial?The reality is that running involves a number of physiological, psychological and sociocultural factors that contribute to this.
Physiologically, when we perform the endogenous opioid system our brain is activated, the opioid substances generated by the body act in this system, contribute to an analgesic effect and increase emotional well-being.
“Everyone who has run knows that the greatest value of running is that it eliminates tensions and allows you to get rid of anything that worries you. -Jimmy Carter-
On a psychological level, the factors that influence this process have their starting point precisely in this improvement of the mood that we have discussed. Running on a regular basis means increasing self-esteem, self-confidence and strengthening social relationships.
Finally, also influence the sociocultural factors associated with the search for a body image according to current standards, which can be achieved through this hypercalyric sports practice, the danger is that running can become the main tool to obtain a lot of personal benefits.
It is obvious that the habit of running alone does not have to be bad, in fact, if a person is able to maintain a regular and balanced practice, it will only reap the benefits and positive consequences of running, without harming their daily life.
Running addiction occurs when you cross the line of recreational sport and become an obligation, an obsession, that governs routine as the main guiding element, in this way we lose the ability to control behavior and increase the chances of injury and discomfort.
But it is not only that when we face an addiction, our behavior is altered by the desire to exercise, in this way we end up becoming more anxious and irrational, and the rest of our lives are left in the background. and professional life ends up being harmed because our main goal is to run, we have forgotten or not other things that were previously important to us.
Images courtesy of Seth Macey, Steven Lelham and Emma Simpson.