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Outdoor Running Boosts Endorphins

Need a Boost? Skip the Treadmill, Hit the Pavement

February 28, 2008

If you've been feeling a little down then you may want to forgo your treadmill run for an outdoor run. This is because past research found that those of us who run outdoors can be less depressed, anxious, hostile, and fatigued. Not to mention, outdoor runners feel more invigorated after than before the run. While a treadmill run is still great for your physical health, mentally, it may not do as much.

This is really interesting to me as I can totally relate. Granted I usually feel really good after a run on the treadmill; I do feel really good and pretty darn pleased with myself after a run outside along the water. What about you guys?

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18 Comments

klreynol 5 years 12 weeks

I hate running inside, and I feel like I can run for longer when I'm outside because it's easier to set mini-goals ... like, "okay, when I just have to make it to that funny shaped tree. Now I just have to go to that garbage can. Well, I can keep going to that house down the road!"

aimeeb 5 years 12 weeks

I might walk but not run...

aimeeb 5 years 12 weeks

I might walk but not run...

cvandoorn 5 years 12 weeks

I can run much further and time seems to fly by when I run outdoors. The only thing I hate is that my knees hurt the next day.

levi1 5 years 12 weeks

Definately outdoors! I hate the artificial treadmill deal. Plus I kill two birds w/one stone by taking my dog with me for His exercise. I love running in the fresh air when it's cold out with low humidity.

ElectroPopTart 5 years 12 weeks

Timing is a huge thing for me. I HATE being in the sun, even when it's really cold because I hate to get a tan so avoid it. I have too much to do early morning and late evening so I like the treadmill. I see people running the dry Southern California 110 degree heat at like 1 in the afternoon! CRAZY.

duffy 5 years 12 weeks

SO TRUE. I have been dying to get outside and run, especially since I'm in training for a race in less than two months. But this morning, as most mornings, I woke up to snowflakes here in Boston. I feel like it's not worth it, risking the icy pavement, so I went to the gym instead and was burnt out after only two miles. WILL SPRING COME ALREADY????

shugahxnxspice 5 years 12 weeks

I love running outdoors especially when it's 60-70 degree weather. I feel so refreshed and more accomplished than when I run on the treadmill.

nancita 5 years 12 weeks

I definitely agree with this. Running in the park puts me in a good mood, because I can enjoy nature and look at cute kids and animals.

EastVillageAmy 5 years 12 weeks

Outdoors is the best for me. I love passing things to feel like I've actually made progress. Being out in fresh air and seeing the water or trees is great. And seeing the other super fit runners is really inspiring. I'll do the treadmill if I absolutely can't run outside do to heat, but I always feel like I'm on a hamster wheel on them.

marygrace 5 years 12 weeks

Running outside feels amazing - when the weather is right. While running on a treadmill can be really boring (and thus kind of depressing) its probably the better choice when its extremely cold and windy, or hot and humid.

Renees3 5 years 12 weeks

this is so true! I've been running on the treadmill for a few weeks and yesterday decided to take the dog for a run to the dog park. I felt so good and went longer than I thought I could! It was great! I'll still use the treadmill I'm sure, but since this whole week is 80 deg outside I'm running outdoors!!

TidalWave 5 years 12 weeks

dd sugar: are you walking or running on the treadmill? i'm going to assume walk because there is no way i could focus on a magazine while even running on a treadmill. also, are there any indoor tracks by you? So you can really run! instead of treadmilling (not running).

TidalWave 5 years 12 weeks

dd sugar 5 years 12 weeks

I would love the fresh air and natural sunlight but will stick with the treadmill due to the higher than average shootings here in LA. I live near the freeway and value my lungs as well. I make the best of it and ramp up the incline while paging through my fav magazines.

mwjank 5 years 12 weeks

It was twenty degrees when I left for my long run this morning. When I finished almost two hours later it was only then that I noticed the chunks of ice that formed in my hair that was sticking out of my hat. Ha! I am so glad to have gone. It was bitterly cold, but I dreesed for it. I didn't really notice it after the first mile or two. The sun was shining on my cheeks as I ran. I saw geese, ducks in the river and the beauty of the winter bare trees. Running around the community reminds me that I am a part of the working whole. Much more envigorating than the mill.