MENTAL HEALTH AND THE BENEFITS OF RUNNING
We usually go out for a run to work on our health, to lose the extra kilos, to get faster – and sometimes to make room for a favourite treat, right? The question for all of you, though, is this: did you know that while you are taking care of your body this way, you are also taking care of your mental health?
The moment we start running, our heart begins to pump harder and to push the blood through the body faster. Our respiratory system starts working harder and prepares us mentally for intense exercise. As we keep running faster and, frankly, stronger, our body begins to release endorphins. These hormones act as stimulants in the body, and the result of the process is that feeling of satisfaction every runner knows so well.
Besides that feeling of satisfaction, running actually brings a whole series of other benefits for our mental health. Here are some of them:
- Managing stress: running helps to keep stress under control and strengthens the body’s ability to cope with existing mental tension. Exercise also raises concentration, a chemical substance that helps improve the brain’s reaction to stress.
- A vitamin boost from sunlight: running outdoors on a sunny day helps the body produce vitamin D, which reduces our tendency to experience symptoms of depression.
- Preventing cognitive decline: running unfortunately cannot cure Alzheimer’s, but it can help boost the brain’s ability to minimise and slow down cognitive decline (the slowing of brain function), which begins in every person after the age of 45. Exercising especially between the ages of 25 and 45 boosts the chemical substances in the brain that help prevent the deterioration of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that matters for memory and learning.
- Calm: the chemical substances released during and after a run can help people who feel anxious to find calm. Whether you run outdoors, on a treadmill, in the street or in the mountains, simply moving our body is the healthiest way of dealing with difficult situations.
- Growing brain power: running can produce new brain cells and improve the overall performance of the brain. More intense running raises the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is believed to help with decision-making, faster thinking and learning.
- Better efficiency: running improves motivation. Research shows that employees who find time to train regularly are more productive and have more energy than those who do not. Although it is hard to fit a workout in, especially in the middle of the day, some experts believe that the middle of the day is precisely the ideal time to train, because of the body’s circadian rhythm.
- Creativity: getting the heart pumping while running boosts creativity for two hours after the workout. That sounds a lot better than staring at a blank sheet of paper waiting for an idea to fall onto it from the sky. 🙂
For all of the above – get your legs moving and refresh your body and your brain at the same time!
source:
www.cigna.com
Cummings, J, The mental benefits of jogging,
http://running.about.com/od/running101/a/mentalbenefits.htm
Breene, S, 13 mental health benefits of exercise, March 2013,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/mental-health-benefits-exercise_n_2956099.html
This text is for information only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor for appropriate health advice and recommendations, including before starting a new diet or exercise programme.
Translated and adapted by: Kristifor Bogdanić