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The Joy of Movement summary
How Exercise helps us find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage
22 mins
Brief summary
"The Joy of Movement" by Kelly McGonigal is a book that explores the science behind physical activity and how it can bring happiness, meaning, and connection to our lives. McGonigal encourages readers to embrace movement as a tool for well-being and personal growth.
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The Joy of Movement
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Key idea 1 of 7
The high we experience from physical exertion is an ancient mechanism helping us persist, thrive, and socialize.
As early as 1885, Scottish philosopher Alexander Bain described what we now call the “runner’s high”: the feeling of bliss and elation that sets in after a prolonged period of jogging. Bain likened this high to a spiritual experience, but others have compared it to being in love, and the effects of all kinds of mind-altering drugs.
Curiously, from a neurological standpoint, the drug that the runner’s high comes closest to is cannabis. Recent studies have shown that a long run greatly increases levels of endocannabinoids in our brain. These are a class of chemicals, and cannabis mimics the effects of them on the brain. Endocannabinoids are known for lessening pain, boosting mood, and triggering additional feel-good chemicals and neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins.
Endocannabinoids also help protect us against anxiety and depression. The weight-loss drug Rimonabant, for example, was designed to suppress appetite by blocking endocannabinoid receptors. Instead, it brought about dramatic increases in anxiety and depression in clinical trials, even leading to four suicides, and was permanently banned. Conversely, one recent study showed that just 30 minutes of exercise can make people immune to the severe anxiety induced by the drug CCK-4. In this study, the effect of exercise was equivalent to taking a sedative like Ativan.
And that’s not all: endocannabinoids also make us more social. In one experiment conducted by researchers at the Sapienza University of Rome, people who exercised for 30 minutes before playing a social game were much more generous and cooperative than people who didn’t. Initiatives like GoodGym in London harness the social energy generated by physical activity: they organize communal runs that send volunteers to do all sorts of social projects in their communities, such as visiting socially isolated elderly people.
Luckily for those of us who’d rather eat a broom than run a lap around the block, the runner’s high is not confined to running. It is proven to appear after all kinds of moderately exhausting physical activity that takes more than 20 minutes, whether that’s swimming, cycling, or speed-walking. Thus, the explosion of brain chemicals from prolonged exercise might be more accurately called a “persistence high.”Why would our brains make us feel so good about exhausting our bodies? The latest theory traces this phenomenon back to our earliest ancestors. It’s likely that the persistence high evolved to keep us hunting and gathering for longer periods of time, making us more likely to find food and survive. And the increased willingness to cooperate and share after physical exertion could also have had an evolutionary benefit: it made hunters more likely to share their spoils with the tribe.
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What is The Joy of Movement about?
The Joy of Movement (2019) makes an inspired and highly original case for exercise. Drawing on the latest insights from biology, neuroscience, and evolutionary psychology, author Kelly McGonigal sets out to show us that the benefits of exercise go far beyond improving our physical health. With hard science and real-life anecdotes, she illustrates how movement brings us hope, meaning, and connection – and explains how everyone can harness its positive powers.
The Joy of Movement Review
The Joy of Movement (2020) is a captivating exploration of how physical activity can bring happiness, connection, and fulfillment to our lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a refreshing perspective on exercise by focusing on the joy and pleasure it can bring, rather than just the physical benefits.
- With compelling research and inspiring stories, it reveals how movement can reduce stress, boost mood, and strengthen relationships.
- The book celebrates a wide range of activities, from dancing to hiking, and highlights their positive impact on mental and emotional well-being.
Best quote from The Joy of Movement
The right playlist can transform your experience of exercise.
—Kelly McGonigal
Who should read The Joy of Movement?
- Couch potatoes looking for motivation to get moving
- Gym rats, compulsive runners, and other exercise enthusiasts
- Philanthropists interested in human evolution, biology, and psychology
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The Joy of Movement FAQs
What is the main message of The Joy of Movement?
Discover the power and joy of physical activity and its positive impact on our overall well-being.
How long does it take to read The Joy of Movement?
The reading time for The Joy of Movement varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Joy of Movement a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Joy of Movement is worth reading as it explores the profound benefits that movement brings to our lives.
Who is the author of The Joy of Movement?
The author of The Joy of Movement is Kelly McGonigal.
What to read after The Joy of Movement?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Joy of Movement, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- In Praise of Walking by Shane O'Mara
- Jog On by Bella Mackie
- Spark by John J. Ratey & Eric Hagerman
- Exercised by Daniel E. Lieberman
- Move! by Caroline Williams
- The Story of the Human Body by Daniel Lieberman
- Phaedo by Plato
- How to Stop Breaking Your Own Heart by Meggan Roxanne
- Master Your Core by Bohdanna Zazulak
- Outlive by Peter Attia