You are currently browsing the archives for the Running category.
07/09/2011 by Einstein719.
At the start of this year I took up running after reading on the internet that it was a brilliant way to handle stress and improve your psychological health. I was never really in it for the physiological benefits.
At first I started with just walking and running a few short distances - then gradually I progressed and started being able to run further without a break. It gradually gets easier and easier, and I found it was a great was to release the stress accumulated from a school day. The psychologicasl benefits are great - its like going to sleep and waking up fully refreshed. Indeed exercise is speculated to downregulate cortisol, the hormone which is released into the blood stream in response to stress. The more precise mechanism is that stress causes the hypothalamus to release adrenocorticotrophic releasing hormone (ARH), which then causes the pituitary to release adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The ACTH then travels in the bloodstream to the adrenal gland, located above the kidneys and causes it to release adrenaline (epinthrine) and Cortisol.
I have read that Cortisol is known to kill neurons (nerve cells) and this is believed to be why chronic stress gives rise to depression. Cortisol harms brain cells in three ways: firstly it interferes with the neurotransmitters, secondly it interferes also with the brains supply of glucose and thirdly it cause the calcium ion channels to open and therefore a sudden influx of calcium ions into the neuron. The calcium ions create free radical molecules which then kill or signifcantly damage the cell.
This loss of nerve cells has been linked to loss of concentration, which prevents adequate memory. So in fact less stress may = greater intelligence.
Im starting to get hooked on sport and have taken up rowing and badminton, as well as joining a running club, in which there is no stopping until everyone stops.
Posted in Running, Stress | Print | 1 Comment »