running
Whether you are running to build your muscle, improve your cardiovascular health, or make up for that delicious burger you had for lunch, did you know that you are also taking care of your mental health while you are running?
As you start running, your heart starts pumping blood faster, and your respiratory system starts working harder. This exercise can lead to the release of hormones, and endorphins, which many might call natural runners high.
Running can have several health benefits, and today I will tell you how running can be beneficial, particularly for your mental health. So, keep reading to learn more.
Running can help with Stress management:
Stress is a problem that everyone has to face these days, from the hectic routines at work, to the financial problems at home, and the constant pressure of school to the hustle of professional life.
Stress can take a significant toll on our mental and physical health, and it can even affect your career, by decreasing our productivity and making us less creative. Therefore, countering stress is essential, and one of the best, completely natural ways to do so, is to go for a run.
Running can refresh our mind, and the release of endorphins can decrease the body's abundance of stress hormones. Furthermore, running and light aerobic exercises also increase the concentrations of norepinephrine in our body, which is a chemical compound that can help moderate our brain's response to stress.
Using cannabis is another excellent way to counter stress. Marijuana is also legal in Canada, so check out some Dosi Pop, a great cannabis strain for countering stress.
Running outside can get your body more vitamin D:
running outside
Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins that our body needs; it is essential for the absorption of calcium and promotes bones' growth. A deficiency of vitamin D can lead to soft and weak bones in children and osteomalacia (misshapen bones) in adults. Furthermore, Vitamin D is essential for several bodily functions, the most important of which is your immune system's performance.
Moreover, very few foods contain Vitamin D, and the best way to get it is by stepping into the sunlight; therefore, you choose a nice and sunny day to take a run in the morning. It can be a great way to absorb some much-needed vitamins.
As far as mental health is concerned, vitamin D has significant importance. Studies have also suggested that vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of depression, so running in the sunlight is good for your mental health.
Running can help in the preventions of cognitive decline:
Mental deterioration is a part of growing old, for some people, it is as simple as forgetting a thing or two, while for some people it may take the forms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Now running doesn't cure mental deterioration disorder; however, it can help their prevention. Studies have shown that doing regular exercise, especially between the ages of 25 and 45, leads to the increased production of healthy chemicals in the brain, preventing the degradation of the hippocampus.
Furthermore, stress and depression also contribute to the hippocampus's shrinkage, which is one of the parts of the brain, which plays an important part in memory development. Therefore, since running helps fight stress, it helps slow down and prevent cognitive decline as well.
Running can calm you down in case of an anxiety attack:
running legs
People have to deal with several kinds of anxiety, and most of them have to turn to anti-anxiety medications to stay calm, however, if you still feel like you are about to have an anxiety attack, going for a run can be a great way to relax and feel more grounded.
The endorphins that are released while running allow you to relax, and if you are running in a park or a place with a lot of greenery, it can have even more positive impacts on your mood and mentality.
Running can boost your brainpower:
Running and cardiovascular exercise can increase the amount of oxygen-rich blood that reaches your brain; furthermore, it promotes new brain cells and improves overall brain performance.
A high-intensity run can also increase brain-derived protein levels that can help with decision-making and learning. Therefore, if you want to increase your mental abilities, start going for a run every morning.
Running can help you sleep better:
Sleep deprivation can be very detrimental to our health, and it can increase the risk of several mental and physical disorders. Most people turn to pharmaceutical sleeping pills, but they can have a lot of side effects.
However, a moderate run can be as effective as sleeping pills without any of the side effects for some people. When you are running, the body's internal temperature increases, and when your body cools down, a few hours later, your body starts producing more sleep hormones.
Make sure to run at least five to six hours before you sleep, because running late at night can put your body in the habit of peaking late, which could get in the way of your sleep routine.
Running can make you more productive:
Are you feeling unmotivated? The solution might be a quick run away. Studies have shown that people who incorporate exercise into their routine are more productive, have a higher amount of energy than their less active peers.
I understand that it may be challenging to make time to go to the gym; however, if you go for a run every day, you will feel a lot more productive and do more work. Experts suggest that the best time for a run is at midday, because of our body's circadian cycle.
Running can boost your creativity:
A quick run that gets your heart pumping can also be great for your creativity. You may have noticed that when you run ideas come more easily, therefore if you feel stuck on a project, go for a quick run, and you will find inspiration and creativity a lot easier.
Final thoughts:
Running is a great way to exercise, it is convenient, and you don't have to go to the gym to do it. Furthermore, it can have a lot of benefits for our mind and body. Therefore, put on your running shoes and head for the street.
