How Running Can Help You Manage Stress.
What if I were to tell you that you could feel constantly happy, stress-free, relaxed, and look several years younger. Would you do it? What if I also said that you could do this without using pills or drugs or surgery? Still not convinced? What if I added the kicker that, it doesn’t cost a cent!
The majority of people out there are continually searching for an elixir to prolong their youth or a magical drug to make them feel on top of the world. But in actual fact, there is a simple mundane activity that can give us all this without us even realising. It’s called running!
Now I don’t want to lose you here, because for many people the thought of ‘running’ sends a chill down their spine. And this is understandable. But the benefit of lacing up far outweighs the concerns, as long as it is done properly.
So how does running reduce stress?
Burning Calories
For those who are weight conscious, running is one of the best ways to burn calories and drop those kilograms that you’ve always wanted to lose. Even a slow jog will raise your heart rate enough to burn fat as a fuel source and drop any excess weight.
Heart Health
Running can reduce coronary stress by reducing blood pressure. It does this by working the arteries of the body (which carry oxygenated blood to muscles), which keeps the elasticity and contractility of the vessels. This then means the heart does not get overworked when pumping the blood to the working muscles.
Anti-aging
Who doesn’t want to look and feel younger? Regular running develops stronger bones. If you’re a couch potato, your bones don’t feel obliged to remodel and grow with density. But the loading placed on the bones from running keeps a constant flow of blood to the tissue which creates stronger, denser bone. And less density can lead to osteoporosis, which is a crippling disease. More of a reason to tie up those laces.
Wonder Thoughts
Many people describe the experience of running to clear their mind. There is a sense of enchantment when running through a favourite trail, that all your stresses float away. Running alone is an excellent way to think about those things that are important to you.
Socialite
Don’t like the voice inside your head? Running with a buddy or group is an excellent social activity. The comradery you’ll find in a running group is second to none, and is a great way to meet people and feel better about yourself. It’s also an excellent dating service for those single people out there. Where else can you strike a conversation with a fellow fit-looking person with a similar interest in exercise?
Feel Good Factor
Finally, and potentially most importantly, running can wipe away your stress and give you a sense of euphoria. It stems from the pituitary gland releasing a neuropeptide called endorphin. Endorphins work as a ‘pain-blocking’ chemical, and act like an opiate to give you that euphoric feeling. If you finish a run with a sense of achievement, you’re more likely to repeat the exercise, which further cements a positive cycle.
So there you have it. Running is one of the best ways you can reduce stress, and there are no drugs involved. As long as you are sensible and undertake exercise under a structured regime, you will literally run your stress away.
By Liam Bromilow.
