How Running Is Good For Your Mental Health

The thought of heading out for a run on a grey winters day can be tough. However, getting out of your front door is often the hardest part and by going out for a jog, you unlock a whole host of physical and mental benefits.

There are many ways in which you can get active but few are as convenient, accessible and effective as running. Building the habit of running regularly can offer structure to your week, allow you to set achievable goals and set yourself a healthy routine. This can all help you take care of your mental health. Below we have highlighted some common issues relating to mental health and how running can help contribute to you handling them.

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Depression

When we exercise our body releases endorphins often referred to as ‘runner’s high’ that can offer a temporary lift from negative feelings. While this is not a permanent cure, it does open a window of opportunity to see beyond those feelings and is a great way to help break the circle of your normal routine. Starting with a manageable, short and steady jog can often be the first step in the right direction to making positive changes to your life.

Anxiety

Anxiety is something that many people experience but few talk about. Triggers are individual to the person, as are the ways in which it presents. Having the courage to go out for a run in order to get those feel-good endorphins released, can help us process our thoughts in a considerably more constructive way.

Working through a gentle training plan and having a weekly structure is also a great way to give your mind something to focus on, and can help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed with other aspects of your life.

If you feel anxious before you run, then plan a short loop close to your home, allowing you to run safe in the knowledge that you can stop at any point if needed. However, you will nearly always feel better once you start running and can build out routes as you become more comfortable.

Stress

Although everyone deals with stress at some point in life, for some, dealing with stressors can be more difficult than others and demanding situations may stack before we can deal with them properly. Being able to offer respite for the mind by going for a run can make things that once seemed like a big deal much more manageable.

For many people heading out for a run can be like meditation. Running is a fantastic way to decompress and offers an opportunity to process your thoughts with clarity of mind.

Appetite

Managing and maintaining a healthy weight can be a real challenge for some people. Whether losing weight or gaining weight, running, along with the right nutrition, can help stabilise an otherwise unbalanced appetite and subconsciously encourage us to choose more suitable food options.

Insomnia

Many of us end the day mentally exhausted, but not physically. Running regularly - even as little as 10 minutes a day - can help tire us out, allowing body and mind to get a better quality night’s sleep and help us wake up feeling fresher in the mornings. It is important, however, that you figure out when the best time is for you. If you know that a run will pump you up for the day, then try to fit in during the morning. On the other hand, if you know a run will leave you exhausted, do it before bedtime so you can succumb to your sleepiness with a peaceful mind.

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Try to remember that although getting regular exercise is great for you, it isn’t a miracle cure and professional advice should always be taken into consideration.

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