Runner’s high is a term used to describe the positive feeling people get after they have exercised. Some people become addicted to exercise and the feeling of the runner’s high. Runner’s high is an example of a positive addiction because exercise is healthy for your body. Although there is still debate among researchers about the mechanism of runner’s high (is it the result of hormones released during exercise, or is it psychological phenomena, or a combination of both?), one thing is certain: People experience positive feelings from regular participation in physical activity. It is true that people can become obsessed with exercise, and the addiction can become negative. People who abuse exercise exhibit three common characteristics:
- Excessive reliance on exercise
- Continuation of exercise when injured or sick
- Withdrawal symptoms when exercise levels are decreased or temporarily halted
Physical activity and exercise are important parts of people’s healthy lifestyles. When physical activity or exercise becomes the focus of someone’s life at the expense of other important aspects of life (such as friends, family, education), the addiction becomes negative.
