The Science of Movement and Feel-Good Chemicals

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Movement triggers the release of chemicals like dopamine, adrenaline, endocannabinoids, and myokines that make us feel better
Endorphins are more likely to give euphoria and are released during extreme effort to reduce pain and fatigue
Endorphins and endocannabinoids make it easier to connect with other people
Exercising with other people can form amazing support relationships or a sense of belonging

Pay a visit to your local gym, observe the grimacing patrons as they pound the treadmill or march in place on the StairMaster, and you might conclude that exercise is no fun. But it doesn’t have to be that way, according to Kelly McGonigal, who lectures at Stanford, teaches dance classes, and wrote “The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage.” Today, she explains how exercise — of all kinds and in all doses — can strengthen your mind, elevate your mood, and deepen your social connections.