Posted by IsoM on January 4, 2003, at 17:12:07
In reply to depressed people don't stretch, posted by linkadge on January 4, 2003, at 7:41:02
Interesting thought, linkadge. It's something I notice about myself. There's a difference (for me) in voluntarily stretching to stretch your muscles (like yoga or pre-exercise warm ups), & in automatically stretching when one changes position or wakes up. That type of stretching is more the way a cat stretches. No amount of voluntary stretching seems to help me feel more limber & energetic if I have to force it - even a little. But when I automatically stretch (I make little grunting/sighing noises), I feel a release of tension & a surge of good feeling - almost like some hormones or neurotransmitters were suddenly released into my system.
I'm really curious to know what chemicals are released with a good heart-felt stretch. If anyone reading this knows, please tell us & provide a link if possible. I'm wondering if it's not some of the same chemicals released when one defecates. Honestly! I know some sort of hormone/neurotransmitter comes from releasing a full bowel that makes it somewhat pleasant. If it weren't so, I'd say most people wouldn't wish to do so. A good sneeze or a big yawn gives the same sort of relaxed but alert feeling.
An aside:
Something amusing is how one of my cats has taken to imitating the little sounds I make when I stretch. He never used to but now he's got his own little cat grunts & sighs when he stretches.
poster:IsoM
thread:134436
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021230/msgs/134491.html