If you’re looking to get involved in a sport or form of exercise that reaps benefits for your whole body then running is definitely for you. Not only are the barriers to entry super low (because all you really need to get started is a pair of running shoes) but studies have shown that running for just 5-minutes a day can reduce your risk of premature death by up to 3 years! Need more reasons to start running? Here are 10 benefits of running.
Improved mental health
It’s basic science really. Running increases blood flow to the brain and helps the brain receive essential nutrients and oxygen, which means it can assist with an improvement in overall brain function, help you be more alert, and better at recalling information.
Improved quality of sleep
If you struggle to sleep then you might find that going on a daily morning run will help you doze off to sleep a lot quicker in the evenings. People who run claim they fall asleep quicker, experience a deeper sleep, wake up less often, and feel less tired throughout the day, than people who don’t run. Exercise is known to trigger an increase in body temperature, so an afternoon or evening run can help to improve your ability to drift off thanks to its body-heating effects. Basically the post-exercise drop in temperature may promote falling asleep and helping you sleep throughout the night.
Beautiful skin
Forget expensive creams and lotions, running can help you achieve a radiant and beautiful complexion. Think about it this way; exercise makes you sweat, which in turn rids your body of toxins that can clog pores and lead to pimples and blemishes. What’s more, running also transports more oxygen and blood around your body, carrying more nutrients to the skin along the way.
Stress relief
Running is an incredible way to relieve stress and fight depression. Anyone who exercises regularly will be able to tell you the powerful effects exercise has on their mental state. No matter how good or bad your day is, exercise will make you feel better and many runners describe their daily run as valuable “me time” where they can work through their problems and focus on themselves.
Stronger bones and joints
It has long been said that running increases bone mass and even helps stem age-related bone loss but a few years ago research conducted at the University of Missouri showed that running can strengthen your bones better than any other aerobic activities! The study showed that bone density in a runner is far superior compared to that of a cyclist with about 19 percent of the runners having had a low density in their spine or hip, while the cyclists had 63 percent over the same problems.
Want to start running? Find everything you need to get started here.
