Why is dancing for hours easier than spending five minutes on a treadmill?
In: Biology
The brain releases “feel-good” chemicals when we [engage in enjoyable activities](https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/heres-why-dancing-is-good-for-your-brain).
By the way, [some people also find the treadmill enjoyable](https://www.healthline.com/health/runners-high#definition), and they’ll get a dose of feel-good brain chemicals as well.
I feel like it’s the same reason why it’s easier to spend 8 hours playing video games than working: it’s a lot easier to do something you enjoy doing than something you don’t.
Dancing releases endorphins, feel good hormones, in large amounts, you have to see dancing as something we do to attract mate. On top of that you are using your brain to interpret music and convert the sound into music which is distracting compared to being on a boring treadmill where you feel every muscle twitch and breath.
Personally I cycle for exercise but only because I like getting out and seeing new places because it is distracting, once I have done the same route a few times it becomes pure exercise and a chore.
When dancing, physical exertion is only part of the situation. With a treadmill, physical exertion is the only thing you’re doing.
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