The Benefits of Running

By Stepy Kamei

If you're looking to start up a fitness routine in order to improve your overall health and well-being, it's good to know that there are all kinds of options available to you. Running is one of the most popular ways in which people stay active and get fit in their daily lives, and it's not difficult to see why. Running is known to provide a wide variety of benefits to a person's physical and mental health, with very little risk involved. Keep on reading to learn more about how running can benefit you -- and pick up some helpful tricks to get you started!

Physical Benefits of Running

Like most cardio-based workouts, running is a great way to improve multiple facets of your physical health.

For starters, you'll be burning off excess calories easily, so if you're looking to lose some weight, this is a great way to go about it. You'll also be regulating your digestive system, so make that another score for your gut health!

Running is also great for toning multiple muscles throughout the body, making you stronger, faster, and leaner over time. You'll also be improving your heart health while lowering your blood pressure -- what's not to love?

Mental Health Benefits of Running

Most people don't take their mental health into consideration when it comes to working out, but it turns out that physical exercise can play a huge role in improving this very important aspect of your well-being too!

Any sort of exercise helps produce endorphins in the brain, a chemical which naturally boosts a person's mood. This will also decrease feelings of anxiety, making it a great natural way to relieve stress.

Furthermore, if you run outdoors, you'll be absorbing Vitamin D naturally thanks to the sun's rays. This essential vitamin also boosts feelings of happiness while reducing stress.

Tips to Get Started

Working up the motivation to get started is often the hardest part, even when you know about all the benefits to your health waiting on the other side.

Many people find it helpful to visualize themselves going for a run before they actually do so. You may want to consider laying out your running clothes the night before, or even sleeping in them, making it that much easier to get up and out the door the next morning.

Another option you can look into is finding someone to run with on a regular basis. This way you'll be able to bond with a friend, loved one, or even a pet, and you'll have a sense of accountability as well.

However you get started, there's no doubting that running will bring about many positive changes to your lifestyle. Just be sure not to overwork yourself, and slowly build up your running speed and mileage as time goes on, and you'll notice all kinds of benefits by taking up this healthy habit.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Gahanna, Ohio.