Читать книгу A Smart Girl's Guide: Sports & Fitness - Therese Kauchak Maring - Страница 14

brain bonuses

You play because it feels good—starting

with the thrill of the game. But sports and

exercise also feel good in ways that might

not seem so obvious.

When you have fun playing a sport,

you feel good about yourself.

Whether you’re scoring the goal,

making a solid pass, or cheering

from the sidelines, mastering a

skill makes you proud. It can help

you realize you’re capable of doing

other amazing things, too.

Does it seem weird that playing in a

real nail-biter or doing a hard workout

can reduce your stress? It’s science! It

happens because exercise can reduce

the levels of hormones in your body

that are related to stress, such as

adrenaline.

Exercise stimulates the production

of brain chemicals called endorphins.

Endorphins are known as “mood eleva-

tors” because they can help you feel

happy, optimistic, and less depressed.

It’s like pushing a button for your brain

to take an elevator to a happier floor.

It’s the science behind why a walk, swim,

or bike ride can get you feeling up.