The BluePrint with Dr. Erik Korem #320 Running High: Exploring the Science & Joy of Movement with Kelly McGonigal
Discover the transformative power of movement in this enlightening episode of The Blueprint.
Our guest, Kelly McGonigal, is a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University who specializes in understanding the mind-body connection. In this episode, she delves into the profound impact of physical activity on our mental and emotional well-being. From the euphoria of the runner's high to the communal joy of dancing, Kelly explores how movement shapes our experience of life, happiness, and personal growth.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How physical activity enhances happiness and life satisfaction.
- The science behind the runner's high and the role of endocannabinoids.
- The impact of music on our performance during exercise.
- How movement can be a tool for surviving hard times and fostering resilience.
- The fascinating role of muscles as endocrine organs, releasing beneficial chemicals during exercise.
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Quotable moments:
18:01: “People who are more physically active through any form of recreation, sport, or exercise, they're happier in every way. You can measure, they have more love, more gratitude, more confidence, more meaning in life. And I think it's because, when you look at the activities that most of us are drawn to, they either bring out what is best in us, you know, our courage, our creativity, our competitiveness, our persistence.” - Kelly McGonigal
20:09: “Every form of movement has a parallel to some sort of recreational or spiritual drug. You know, movement gives you an opportunity to tap into the brain's natural capacity to give you chemicals that make you feel good, that make you confident, that help you connect with other people that give you hope.” - Kelly McGonigal
20:30 “You mentioned endocannabinoids and the runner's high. That's one type of exercise high, and it turns out that if you engage in moderate-intensity movement continuously for about 20 minutes, your brain releases more endocannabinoids. And that along with things like dopamine and adrenaline. That gives you a very specific sense of feeling powerful and also loving.” - Kelly McGonigal
23:01 “Music gives you an endorphin rush and an extra hit of dopamine and adrenaline. So listening to music that you love enhances any exercise high. And also enhances, um, the bonding effect. Music also makes us feel more connected to others.” - Kelly McGonigal
24:53 “If you listen to music, You are going to require less oxygen to do the same amount of work. It's, it's kind of magical. It can help you be faster, it can help you be stronger. It makes hard things feel less effortful and also more enjoyable.” - Kelly McGonigal
32:25 “It's like you have a pharmacy in your muscles and they can create all these chemicals that, that improve your heart health, that boost immune function, that kill cancer cells that make your bones stronger. It's amazing. And some of these chemicals actually target the brain and your muscles wait for movement to release them. - Kelly McGonigal
ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST:
The BluePrint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals. Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself.
On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense.
Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, a health and fitness app that unlocks the power of wearables by providing you with daily personalized recommendations to enhance your mind, body, and recovery.
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