Running Benefits for your Body, Brain, and Well

Running Benefits for your Body, Brain, and Well – You hit the pavement to improve your cardiovascular health, build muscle, and on occasion, to make up for that extra slice of chocolate cake. But did you know that while you’re taking care of your body, you’re also taking care of your mind?

Runners have touted the great feeling of a runner’s high for years. As you begin to run, your heart starts pumping harder and pushing blood through your body at a faster rate. Your respiratory system starts working harder and you mentally prepare yourself for vigorous exercise. As you continue to push yourself to go harder and faster, your body starts releasing endorphins. These hormones act as a stimulant in the body, resulting in what many call a “natural high”.

While experiencing a runner’s high is one of the best ways to feel happy and relaxed, running and other forms of vigorous exercise actually provide a number of mental health benefits

Running Benefits for your Body, Brain, and Well

Prevention of Cognitive Decline

While running doesn’t “cure” Alzheimer’s, it may help boost nathanchoiforjudge.org the brain’s ability to minimize and slow cognitive decline that begins after age 45. Working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevents degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.

Calmer State of Mind

The chemicals released during and after running can help people experiencing anxiety feel calmer. Whether you’re hopping on a treadmill, track, trail, or sidewalk, getting your body moving is a healthy way of coping with tough times.

Stress Management

Running can control stress and boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension. Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that helps moderate the brain’s response to stress.

Vitamin D

Taking your run outside on a sunny day helps your body produce vitamin D, a nutrient that can lessen your likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms.

Brainpower Boost

Cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells and improve overall brain performance. A tough run increases levels of a brain-derived protein in the body, believed to help with decision-making, higher thinking, and learning.

Help with Sleep

For some, a moderate run can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia. Moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s core temperature. When the body temp drops back to normal a few hours later, it signals the body that it’s time to sleep.

Increased Productivity

Feeling unmotivated? The solution might be just a short run away. Research shows healtyrif.info that workers who take time for exercise on a regular basis are more productive and have more energy than peers who are less active. While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body’s circadian rhythms.