Most of us have countless mechanisms in place to elevate our mental and physical well-being. What supports your mental well-being may not support your physical well-being, therefore making it a lengthy process trying to find that perfect balance between the two. What if there was something that boosted your physical health while simultaneously boosting your mental health? Well, there is and it is called… running! Running offers one of the simplest, yet most effective forms of exercise. Running is challenging, but with every challenge comes countless rewards. We hope to instill some motivation to get you out the door by highlighting the importance running has on your long-term health. Here are five ways that running can affect your life:
1) Running Helps you Lose Weight
The most common reason people pick up running is to lose weight. The only problem is that many people get hurt or quit too early. There are many smart ways to go about running including joining friends, creating a training plan, and taking care of your body through recovery so you can consistently train without setbacks. Studies show that consistently running 30 minutes or more a day for 5 days a week results in many health benefits including weight loss. The great thing about running is that not only do you burn calories while running, but you keep burning them even after you stop running.
2) Reduces Health Risks
You might have heard the saying, “Running is the best medicine.” It sure seems that way with all the benefits that come with it. Running reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, respiratory disease, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, disability, and stroke.
3) Improves Functions of the Body
No, the myth is not true, running does not destroy your knees. In fact, many studies have shown that running improves knee health. Running strengthens bones and joints as well as improves postural balance, heart function, aerobic fitness, adiposity status, metabolic fitness.
4) Helps with Aging
Research has shown that exercise is one of the top ways to keep a healthy mind. Exercising has shown to benefit focus, working memory, and task switching. Even meeting the minimum requirements (30 minutes, 5 times a week) has proven to help people live longer. Running can keep you sharper with age and add years to life expectancy.
Still not convinced enough to get you out the door? Running not only benefits your physical health but also your mental health. Which leads us to our final benefit:
5) Improves Mental Health
If you are not a runner, you probably wonder why or how the people jogging around town look so happy. Well, running goes well beyond the known “runner’s high” as it provides major mental health benefits. General exercise as short as 30 minutes has proven to improve mood and help fight depression. Furthermore, running offers a stress reliever to anxiety. But that’s not all, running has also proven to help with quality sleep at night and focus throughout the day.
Yes, running is a challenge, but taking the proper steps toward better health is well worth the difficulty. It is important to start conservative, increase gradually, and stay consistent. By following this method, improvements will be made as you start to notice the changes in your overall well-being. Not sure where to start? Let us help by providing a training plan and helpful tips that will get you out the door and on to a healthier lifestyle.