Running – a balm for body and soul!
Hello runners, and all of you who are well on your way to becoming one! After we learned last week that it is desirable to run in autumn too, even though it is cold outside, in this article we will look at the facts about what running actually does to our body and health. The benefits are certainly positive and healing.
What you should know is that in running every step counts, which means our body remembers and will be grateful to you for that physical activity. Maybe not right away, but it will certainly repay you in its own way: you will be vital and in good health! Those of you who run every day, we are sure you notice how running affects your way and style of life, while beginners get the chance to discover and see the good sides of physical activity.
If until now you believed that running only improves your physical shape and fitness, we think that way of thinking should come to an end, because running for 25 minutes a day can transform your life for the better, so it should come as no surprise that there is research explaining why it makes us feel so good.
Running is a physical activity for which you need no special equipment or preparation, apart from comfortable shoes, clothes and will. You can run in nature, but also on a treadmill at home or in the gym; however, our advice is to always choose running outdoors, ideally in the company of friends or family members.
Running has numerous benefits for the health of the cardiovascular system
When we run, our heart and lungs work together to pump oxygen-rich blood to all the muscles and organs, and in this way the cardiovascular system is strengthened. One of the most important benefits of running for our health is that the risk of developing certain diseases is greatly reduced, while regular exercise has a positive effect on regulating high blood pressure, and it has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and death from it by as much as 50 percent. You should also know that easy running for 10 minutes a day significantly reduces the risk of a heart attack.
Running “employs” all our muscles
When we run, our whole body trains with us, and running engages all the muscle groups.
It shapes the body
When we talk about shaping the body, we don’t mean slimming, but losing excess kilos and strengthening the muscles. Running also affects the synthesis of the hormone in the body that stimulates muscle growth.
Running improves general working capacity
We are sure you will cope more easily with everyday challenges and obligations if you have energy. Well, running will bring you precisely that energy, and positive effects will also be felt by people who have problems with the musculoskeletal system, as well as those whose job description requires long sitting and inactivity. Running strengthens the muscles and tendons that support the joints, maintains a healthy body weight and helps put an end to knee pain, breathlessness when climbing stairs and the like.
It improves mood
It is great for relieving stress! We are sure every runner will confirm this fact. Besides that, you will notice that your breathing becomes deeper, your pulse quickens and your heart pumps harder to send blood to the brain and muscles. As we move, our body releases endorphins. You will be happier when you come back from a run than when you set off, and besides mood, running also has a positive effect on creativity, boosts libido and affects the quality of social and emotional relationships.
Run, because you will sleep better!
Running contributes to sound and refreshing sleep at night, and when you wake up you will feel rested and full of energy for the new challenges that day holds for you.
If you asked runners what running means to them, each of them would give you a different answer, but rest assured that they would weave a part of themselves into it. Because, as Confucius said: “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop!”