If you are looking for an exercise that can give you a long list of health benefits, you should try running. It is an intense workout that can work various muscle groups of your body, and promote not only better physical health but also mental and emotional wellbeing. The 15 reasons enumerated below should hopefully push you to hit the ground running today:
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It helps relieve stress.
Do you always deal with stress in school or at work? What can you do to stay sane and not lose your mind with the impossible workload or projects that your boss or professor assigns to you?
If you run even for just half an hour a day, you can get rid of the stress that builds up in you. By running, you are boosting your brain’s production of serotonin, making you feel more relaxed and calmer. You can do it early in the morning, probably before having your breakfast, or late in the afternoon or at night, after getting off of work.
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It puts you in a better mood.
Has life turned you into a big blob of negativity? Do you find it so hard to be happy or excited about anything?
Life is full of ups and downs. Unfortunately, for a lot of people, their lives are mostly challenges and obstacles that are difficult to overcome. If this is the case for you too, it is not surprising at all if being in a bad mood has become your default setting. How can you smile and feel good if things are not going your way?
Fortunately, you can do something about that. If you start running, you help your brain and body feel energized. It is like a natural antidepressant that you can get for free, anytime and anywhere you want. For at least 30 minutes a day, you should start experiencing good changes in your mood after only a few days.
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It improves your memory.
Do you sometimes have trouble remembering instructions your supervisor gave you just moments ago? Do you barely pass your exams because you just can’t seem to engrave in your brain names and dates of important historical figures and events?
Running promotes an increase in the production of cortisol, a hormone that plays a huge role in a variety of bodily functions, such as metabolism, blood sugar levels, and memory retention. The more frequent you run, the higher your cortisol levels, the better your memory.
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It can help you sleep more easily at night.
How many hours do you spend every night tossing and turning in bed? Have you tried all sorts of relaxation activities before bed but still cannot get yourself to fall asleep?
There are many people in the world who are dealing with sleeping problems. They try to follow tips and tricks on how to get a good night’s sleep they find online, but to no avail. If you are one of them, have you tried running? This exercise promotes a healthier body and mind, allowing you to get into a regular sleep routine for a higher quality slumber.
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It builds muscles.
Do you avoid wearing shorts, fearing others will make fun of your chicken legs? Are you insecure about your calves?
If you run on a regular basis, the muscles, tendons, and tissues in your lower body are worked, making them stronger and sturdier. The consistent workload that they get allows them to improve and give you a better arsenal for longer running times and distances.
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It boosts your energy levels.
Is it hard to get out of bed in the morning? Do you always start your day feeling groggy and tired?
Waking up everyday highly energized is important to being productive and efficient at work or in school. If you are frequently not feeling good and not up for anything, you are putting your career or schooling in jeopardy. But with the help of running, your body can feel refreshed and ready to face whatever life throws at you.
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It keeps your heart healthy.
Did you know that living a sedentary life puts you at higher risk of heart disease? Do you want to do something about your inactive lifestyle to avoid suffering from heart attacks or other cardiovascular disorders?
Your heart has to be healthy to be able to regulate enough blood necessary for the proper functioning of the different parts of the body. During a run, it is worked, and made fitter and more suited for better performance. You lower your risk of developing heart problems and other diseases.
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It lowers your risk of diabetes.
Do you like sweets but worry of the health issues that may stem from consuming too much sugar? Are you battling diabetes now but want to prevent developing other complications?
Maintaining normal blood sugar levels in the body is crucial. If they shoot up, you are in danger of developing diabetes, which is a dangerous disease that can bring damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and nerves. If you decide to take up running, you can keep your blood sugar levels normal, and protect yourself from diabetes-related conditions, like kidney damage, eyesight problems, and heart attack.
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It burns a lot of calories.
Are you sick of having to go to several different stores and boutiques just to find a pair of pants that fit you? Do you want to lose weight fast?
When it comes to shedding those extra pounds, you have to seriously commit to a major lifestyle change. You must alter your diet, include lots of vegetables and fruits, and get rid of foods high in fats and sugar. You also have to exercise to speed up your weight loss and build muscle. A 30-minute run at a speed of 5 miles per hour usually burns around 300 calories. So, if you do it everyday, you can burn a total of 2,100 calories in week. And, factoring in the calorie deficit from your new diet plan, you can potentially burn 3,500 calories, which equates to one pound lost in a week.
