I’ll preface this post by saying, I am NOT a runner! If you know me, I’m a Pilates addict. I’ve been practicing Pilates for over 8 years and that’s my passion. I am very active – I love to walk and be outside, but running – well not really.
A lot of my friends over the past year have taken up the challenge of running. As much as I am into fitness, it’s just not something that appeals to me, personally. I have a 3 ½ mile loop that I walk in our neighborhood regularly that has a lot of hills. I take the flattest part and run that – so I run a little over a ½ mile of my walk—that’s my extent of running.
Having said that, I am a big believer in finding what works for YOU with your fitness goals. It seems that running works for a lot of people and certainly has some great physical and mental health benefits.
Ask a runner why they run and you might get a variety of reasons. They may want to lose weight, maybe they are looking for a new challenge or goal, or possibly it’s something they did when they were younger and they wanted to pick it back up again. Whatever reason people choose to run, helping to understand why running is a natural stress buster may encourage them to keep running.
Everyone feels stress at one point or another in their lives. Demanding work schedules, problems with relationships, and not taking good care of yourself are just a few of the things which cause stress. While it’s not possible to totally remove stress from your life, running is a natural stress buster you may want to try if you’re faced with too much stress.
The scientific and medical communities have long told of the benefits of exercise for our physical health. Being physically active can also be a boon to our mental health. Even though being active is a form of stress, it can greatly improve our lives in so many ways.
Running releases endorphins, which are the neurotransmitters producing the runner’s high. If you’re feeling stressed, angry or frustrated, running is a great outlet for releasing pent-up emotions. Running can help take your mind off problems, partially due to its rhythmic nature. Being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air can also do wonders for helping you overcome your frustrations.
One of the most important benefits of running, however, is the improved health you experience. Not only are you providing your body with exercise, you’re also removing damaging stress. Committing to a regular routine of running, you’re then less likely to feel the effects of stress when it tries to worm its way into your life. You may not be entirely free of stress but you’ll notice it much less.
Many friends of mine have committed to running over the past year or so. I asked one of my friends to give me her thoughts on her past year long commitment to running:
“I never believed I could do it. I was afraid. Ten months ago one of my best friends asked me to train with her and help support her in achieving her fitness goals. I never knew it would actually get me out of my own fitness box and become the runner that I never believed I could be!
Honestly, getting out the door is the hardest part. Once I’m out there in the open road with my favorite music and fresh air – I am free and feel great!
I AM a runner. It feels amazing! My mind might be on the hill ahead or the music playing, but it is always clear of the worries of the day.”
Running is a great activity to help you stay healthy. It may be something that you want to try to combat stress and achieve your fitness goals. Always be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine and be sure to use proper running shoes.
