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Running is one of those activities that you either love or hate. However even if you don’t like to run, it should be part of your daily exercise regiment. Running is one of the top cardiovascular exercises. It is great for your body, mind and spirit. Here are the reasons you need to get motivated to start running.
1. Burn Calories and Lose Weight-
Compared to other
cardiovascular workouts running beats the competition in burning calories. It’s
one of the most vigorous exercises to lose weight. Running uses every muscle in
the body, increase the heart rate and blood flow, fringing nutrients and oxygen
throughout the body. As you run blood is forced down through the legs and
pushed back up to the heart. Which in turn is pumped through the heart and back
out to the body. The faster you run, the harder your heartbeats and the faster
it works, making the heart stronger. The better you get, the longer distances
you can run, and the faster you can run, the stronger your muscles will get and
the more weight you will lose. For those of a healthy weight, running will help
your maintain it.
2. Stress Relief-
When we exercise our body releases
endorphins, happy hormones, which relieve stress. Endorphins are
neurotransmitters, released during times of stress such as long, continuous
workouts. Upon release into the body they create feelings of euphoria,
happiness, and ease. This can create what’s known as a “runners high”. It eases
stress, reduces irritation and relieves tension. By concentrating on the body’s
movements while running, you can clear your mind of stressful situations,
giving you a clearer outlook on life. Running is a great way to increase
self-confidence and treat symptoms of mild depression and anxiety.
3. Good for Joints-
Because running requires the constant
movement of the legs and the force from striking the ground goes up through the
legs many believe that running will ruin your knees. As opposed to popular
belief, osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage breakdown, which occurs as we age
and is worsened by excess weight. Runners, especially experienced runners are
normally of a healthy weight, which significantly reduces the risk of
osteoarthritis. In reality running protects cartilage, it doesn’t destroy it.
Running shields the knee from arthritis because the knee develops a motion
groove that loads the cartilage during regular movements such as walking and
running. Running increases the heart rate, which in turn increases oxygen and
blood flow to the knee and flushes out toxins. Running also strengthens the
ligaments and muscles around the joints such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip
flexors and core abdominals. Strong support structure keeps the knee balanced
and in proper alignment. This reduces the risk for injury to the knee.
4. Disease Prevention-
The health benefits of exercise are
abundant, and as one of the most effective and efficient exercise, running
produces major benefits. Running has great ability to prevent and fight
disease. Many of the major diseases can be greatly affected by exercise. A
sedentary lifestyle, inactivity and unhealthy habits lead to heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and cancer. Running reduces
the risk for many kinds of cancer including colon, breast, endometrial and
lung. It reduces the chances for diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Running
lowers blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol, and
boosts the body’s immunity to fight off colds and flu. Running can also help
prevent vision loss caused by macular degeneration and cataracts.
5. Live Longer-
Although there is no definitive proof that
running makes you live longer. It reduces the risk of disability and risk of
death. Running increases cardio fitness, bone mass, lowers inflammation,
improves thinking, learning and memory function. Running makes the body
healthier and stronger, giving it the ability to ward off bacteria and viruses
and prevent disease. A healthier
body and good cognitive ability will prolong your life. Therefore running will
help to add on years to your life.
6. Improves Energy-
Running is a great way to boost your
energy. Endorphins and adrenaline released during exercise lift ones mood and
boost energy levels long after exercise has finished. When you are feeling
tired or sluggish a quick jog can boost your energy. Running in the morning can
give enough energy to last you throughout your day.
7. Easy and Cheap-
Running is probably the easiest and
cheapest exercise available. Even if you are not an experienced runner or have
perfect form, everyone has the basics to put one foot in front of the
other. All you need is a pair of
running shoes and who doesn’t have a pair of sneakers in their closet. You can
run pretty much anywhere sidewalk, trails on a track or even on a treadmill.
