Running is a form of exercise enjoyed by many people, and for good reason too. It doesn’t require much in terms of equipment, you can even do it at home, and you can run at just about any time during the day or night – whatever timeslot suits you best.
But more than being a popular form of exercise, it also happens to be exceptionally good for you.
The Health Benefits
Running promotes the good health of your heart and cardiovascular system. In fact, it’s one of the best forms of exercise you could possibly do for your heart.
Studies have shown that running for only 10 minutes a day can exponentially lower your risk of heart disease. In fact, those who run regularly lower their chances of dying from cardiovascular disease by at least half.
Running also lowers the resting rate of your heart. Your heart resting rate refers to the number of times your heart beats per minute when resting. A healthy heart resting rate is perhaps the single biggest indicator of the overall state of your physical health and well-being.
It Improves Sleep
We often underestimate the value of good-quality sleep for physical and mental health.
Quality sleep is essential for our health, as it helps the body to restore and repair itself.
Running promotes the quality of sleep. To this end, it is important to remember that running releases certain feel-good endorphins in the body, meaning running too late in the day could interfere with your sleeping patterns.
It’s Good For Your Back
A study involving 675 marathon runners revealed that runners have a much lower rate of arthritis than that experienced by the majority of non-runners.
In short, the more you run, the better it is for your back.
It’s A Memory-Booster
Many runners report an improved capacity to their ability to memorise and remember. This is because running increases your heart rate, which is known to boost the size of the part of the brain that is responsible for learning and memory.
It Will Lift Your Mood
Many people run because of a need for improved energy-levels, and to simply “better” and more energised.
Running is a great booster of the mood and emotions, and as such, improves the quality of our mental health. Just like when you play online pokies in Australia for real money, you’ll get an instant mood boost.
Tips For Starting Out
A great way to start out is to formulate a running program that works for you. For the best results, be sure to remain mindful of the following:
- Hydration is key. This means drinking water before, during, and after your running session.
- Take regular breaks. This will help your body to rest, adapt, and recover.
- Be visible. When running in the early morning or late at night, remember to wear reflective clothing for visibility.
- Avoid running directly after eating.
- While on your running journey, stick to a healthy and balanced diet. This will make running all the more enjoyable and effective in managing your physical health.
- Stay alert. Be aware of what’s going on around you.
If injured while running, stop immediately. Seek medical care when necessary.