You are deciding on whether you should take up running or not. You may have heard about all the physical, mental and emotional benefits of running, but on the other hand, you may be worried about whether you have the time, and whether this form of exercise will be too mundane after a while.
Fret not. Here’s how running can benefit you.
It reduces stress
If you have had a particularly stressful day at work, it might not be the best idea to go home and take your anger out on your spouse or family members. Instead, why not go out for a run, and take your anger out on the pavement? Pounding the pavement would definitely make you feel better and when you return home after your run, you will feel much more peaceful and a lot less stressed and angry too.
It re-energises you
If you have had a very long and stressful day at work, going out for a run straight after that, will definitely help to re-energise you.
For example, after sitting in the office all day, you may notice your body feeling very stiff and lethargic. You may not feel like going out for a run, but if you do, you will find that the exercise will renew your energy levels. As a result, you will feel as though you are completely refreshed and re-vitalised.
It helps you think
When you run, it gives your mind the chance to think and simply reflect. For example, it may help you to come up with new ideas and suggestions for your work, that you might not have otherwise been able to think of, had you gone straight home.
If you’ve had a bad day, running may also help you to clear your head, so that you will feel better.
It gives you physical benefits
When you take up running, it doesn’t happen immediately, but after a while, you should notice your body getting more toned and you will become stronger from the exercise. As well, as long as you haven’t subconsciously increased your amount of food intake, you should also notice some weight loss – which can be a very motivating benefit to run.
It helps you sleep
Running enables you to sleep better at nights and have a more peaceful sleep. So if you are having trouble sleeping, why not consider taking up running, to help you improve your sleeping patterns?
It improves your confidence
By taking up running and setting goals, such as taking part in a 5K race or a 10K race would help you to improve your confidence levels. This is because if you have successfully managed to achieve your running goals, your confidence will increase and this will also translate into your working and personal life. You will therefore become a person who is much more sure of, and at ease with yourself.
It prevents and reduces the risk of illnesses
You might not believe this at first, but medical research has shown that runners have a reduced risk of stroke. For female runners, their chance of breast cancer also goes down. In fact, for people who are at high risk of, or at the early stages for ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis, the doctors recommend running to alleviate these early symptoms.
Related Blog Posts:
Leave a Comment