‘The Bear’ Star Jeremy Allen White Says That Running Makes Him ‘Feel Good’

Before he was known as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in The Bear, before he took on the role of Kerry Von Erich in Iron Claw, and even before he was seen in his pants in a Calvin Klein campaign, Jeremy Allen White enjoyed running. Regularly papped running the local streets of Los Angeles, the actor attributes a lot of his training and impressive physique to running, skipping, and calisthenics.Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live, White said, “I like to run, I like to jump rope in my everyday life, which makes me feel good”—and he’s not alone. All runners (and skippers) will be familiar with the post-run glow up. In a survey of more than 8,000 runners, conducted by Glasgow Caledonia University and Strava, 89 percent of respondents said that running made them feel happier. But what exactly is it that causes this lovely sensation? It’s all down to brain chemistry.A paper published in 2016 suggests three broad mechanisms through which exercise can exert positive effects on mental health: neurobiological, psychosocial, and behavioral.Neurobiological deals with the established brain chemical changes that you may have heard about—we’re talking endorphins, endocannabinoids, and the fabled runner’s high. But the other two elements play a very important role, too.“Psychosocial” refers to how physical activity can provide an opportunity for positive experiences, such as social connection, mastery, and exposure to nature. “Behavioral” is the wider impact of exercise on your lifestyle—for example, instilling a daily routine, promoting healthier eating, or improving sleep quality.When these three combine, it’s no wonder that running makes you feel good.And the jump rope? Well, that has benefits for runners as well, mainly because it’s a plyometric exercise that can improve running speed, recovery time, and overall performance. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance found that skipping for as little as 10 minutes per week can make a difference to athletes’ run times over 3 kilometers, while also improving reactivity times and foot arch stiffness.Ben is Runner's World's Multiplatform Director and has worked at the title for over 13 years. He has always had a deep interest in running shoes and tech and has amassed a wealth of knowledge on running products during this time and through countless hours of testing. Ben also enjoys exploring the science behind running and how it informs advances in training and racing. He is also the co-host of the weekly podcast. Ben is a firm believer that running is just as much about adventure and fun as about chasing PBs, and he likes nothing more than a day spent explore new trails.