You have probably already heard that running is one of the best exercises that you can do, both for your mental and physical health. If you are not running regularly already, you will definitely start after you check out these 4 amazing benefits you get from running.
1. Weight loss
If you want to lose weight and get into better shape, running is your answer. Of course, we all know that in order to lose weight, you need to modify your diet and eat as healthy as possible – without proper, healthy nourishment, long lasting weight loss is almost impossible. But if you have your diet under control and just want to burn some extra calories every day, running is the best choice. Running burns more fat than any other cardio exercise, which makes it the most effective exercise if you want to lose weight. For example, a 160-pound person can burn up to 450 calories in just 30 minutes of running. For comparison, that person would have to do more than one hour of cycling to burn that same amount.
2. Less stress
Stress is a part of our everyday lives and it causes many modern-day issues. That is why, if we want to live better and more peaceful lives, we need to do whatever we can to lower our stress levels. Running is an amazing activity for all those who want to get rid of stress because it releases dopamine and endorphins to your brain so that you feel better instantly. After a good run, your mind is clear and you are ready to tackle anything that comes your way. Because it releases these feel-good chemicals, running can help prevent depression and anxiety, and it also makes you more resilient in times of increased stress.
3. Better sleep
A good night’s rest can fix anything, right? When you are well-rested and get enough sleep every night, your brain functions better, you can think more clearly, and your anxiety levels go down. But what if we have a hard time falling asleep, or wake up several times in the middle of the night for no apparent reason? If you want to sleep better, try running. Running releases serotonin which is one of the things that can regulate your circadian rhythm. Because of this, your body will have regular wake-up and sleep times and this kind of routine will help you fall asleep as soon as you get into bed. Running also improves deep sleep, which is our most important part of the night.
4. Better health
There are numerous ways in which running improves your physical health. Obviously, since this is a cardio exercise, it makes your heart pump faster which, then, makes your heart stronger. Research shows that running also improves your immunity and makes you more resilient to infections and influenza. Moreover, running reduces the risk of many cancers and helps those who do develop cancer. Because running is so good for the body, it’s no surprise that there is a link between running and an extended life expectancy – the risk of early death is lowered by 27% in runners.