7 Benefits of Running that are not Weight Loss
It’s no secret that a lot of people that take up running, do so with the goal of losing weight. It’s the most notorious cardio exercise, and it does not require any piece of equipment (unless you want to do it indoors, of course). As any cardio exercise, it is very effective at burning fat and therefore helping you to lose weight. However, there are many other important benefits to it, so we thought we would list them in a brief blog post.
1. Confidence
It will feel amazing to see yourself progress, and reach your goals. 1k will turn to 5k, and onwards.
2. Sleep
Nothing beats the restful night you experience after a long training run.
3. Meditation
If you have a busy life, you will be surprised to realise you don’t have that much time to think and meditate about it. Running will give you the perfect break from the constant stimulation of the world around you, and you will find yourself lost in your thoughts pretty quickly.
4. Productivity
Start your day with a morning run, and you won’t even need coffee before heading to work. You will be more awake, more aware.
5. Happiness
Running will stimulate your endorphins and leave you feeling great.
6. Relationships
If you have other friends who are into running, this will make the experience extra enjoyable. You can meet them for runs, join competitions together, challenge each other, etc.
7. Anxiety
The runner’s high and endorphins can be far more effective than medication in combating and managing anxiety. The increased physical and mental stamina, better sleep, and sense of accomplishment in hitting another training goal also provide mental relief. Spending some much-needed alone time during the long runs gives my wandering mind plenty of opportunities to ruminate and solve the challenges that used to result in debilitating anxiety.