How to Cure Depression Through Runner's High

There are many types of depression and we all get depressed at one time or another in our lives due to various underlining reasons. For casual depression, one can easily help to cure the problem by raising serotonin levels in the brain. Copious amounts of activity can then create transmitters in the brain to release endorphins that help to raise serotonin levels and make you feel happy. With running you can achieve a runner's high. This is when the body goes into a recovery mode and releases endorphins to help restore muscle tissue. This is also sometimes referred to as a "second wind." Generating a runner's high can be a fulfilling achievement of endurance that alleviates tension and stress.

Instructions

• 1

  Decide on a running routine. Make time to run in the morning before going to work or school. Also make time to run and exercise in the afternoon. This will help to keep your mind off stress from work or school.

• 2

  Start out with a slow pace. Don't push yourself to achieve that runner's high. A healthy limit would be to start at one mile in the morning and to work up to three miles. Then run at least two to three miles in the afternoon. Try pushing the mileage in which you run by a quarter mile each week.

• 3

  Exercise before each run to stretch your calf muscles and the rest of your legs.

• 4

  Eat a lot of carbohydrates before a long distance run. This will help you to maintain a successful runner's high without any major aches or cramps.

• 5

  Join a local runner's club or enter in 5 k and 10 k race. Competing in races will help to give you a competitor's edge that will increase your endorphins.