The health benefits of having friends in fitness are well documented, exercising with a friend or friends, increases motivation, achieves better fitness results and improves mental health.
We are social creatures, notwithstanding the occasional or regular need to be alone; our survival depends on trusting our fellow human for our physical needs.
The tremendous progress in technology and intellect is seeing our prehistory body becoming redundant.
Thankfully, neither science nor progress in technology has been able to successfully simulate the cohesive functioning of our ancient hormonal system required by the human brain.
The feel good chemical reactions of joy, happiness, love, and fulfilment can only be fully initiated in the physical human relationship.
This hormonal system has not changed since caveman’s need to hunt, gather, cook and eat meals together for the survival of the tribe.
The chemical hormones of Endorphins, Dopamine, Serotonin and Oxytocins ensure we live a life worth living together.
Endorphins and Dopamine are the “me” hormones, and we can get a “rush” by simply achieving our set goals and exercising.
Unfortunately, the highs of these hormones cannot be sustained; it is the reason that fitness initiatives fail or addictions are formed, over time; these hormones require deeper and more intensive “hits” to be released.
Serotonins and oxytocins are the “us” hormones, and they balance the “me” hormones.
Mental health and mental health medication is a complex study. It is said that depression is a result of the chemical imbalance in the brain. However, there is no scientific research to fully support these arguments.
Antidepressant drugs do increase serotonin levels in the brain, but it cannot be said that depression is caused by a serotonin shortage. Likewise, aspirin may cure a headache, but it does not mean that headaches are caused by aspirin deficiency.
Serotonin is responsible for the need to feel pride and have status. We need to feel that we are a valued member of our society. It is the reason we have ceremonies for different stages in life; graduations, marriages, anniversaries, etc
Serotonin can be tricked; studies have shown that taste is more about perception than product. Wine labeled as expensive was found to taste better than wine labeled as cheap, even though the wine product was the same.
Serotonin released as a result of the perception of status, is why Nike’s labels are on the outside of shoes and clothing. Marketers know that fitness is becoming more about “just buying” and less about just doing…
Oxycontin is known as, the “cuddle” hormone; it is about love, trust, family, friends and living in a community.
It is the hormone that binds us together; it presents as feelings of safety and care in our relationships.
It is the process of falling in love….
Rarely do we meet someone and instantly decide on a lifetime relationship. “Love at first sight” is possible, but without the enduring feelings of trust and safety, the relationship cannot be sustained.
Finding fitness is like finding love. Initially, it is exciting as Endorphins and Dopamine surge through our system.
With the help of Serotonin, we feel proud that we have the status of participating in an exercise program.
If we continue exercising with a group of friends, we are further rewarded with Oxytocins – joy and happiness that can only come from having a secure relationship of trust and care for others who are exercising with us.
Our friendships in fitness are more than just exercising together; they are about genuinely caring for our group’s wellbeing as individual human beings.
Let’s continue to exercise together for many years to come!
I leave this week with words of the Irish poet W.B. Yeats, who in 1923 won the noble prize for literature. The Nobel Committee described his work as giving “expression to the spirit of a whole nation.”
The Irish spirit has always been known for its celebration of a cocktail of feel good hormones that result in love, warmth, and friendships in conjunction with having a good laugh!
“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met”
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Live well and eat well.
Anna
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