Psychological Benefits of Running

Running is easy to get into and available to practically any able-bodied person looking to get in shape, but there's also a whole slew of psychological benefits to running you may not be aware of. Sure, the main reason you're hitting the trail to lose a few pounds and whip the heart into shape, so think of these side effects as a nice bonus. Here is a brief overview of the five main psychological benefits of running.

• Stress relief

Some days, modern life itself seems to take a bite out of happiness. But rather than plopping in front of the TV with a beer, you can hit the trail and get a physical outlet for your stress and frustration. When that jerk cut you off on the freeway, or the boss decided to make your day a living hell, your body reacted like its programmed to do with elevated stress hormones and readiness to spring into action. Except, of course, there's no physical action to take, which kind of leaves you hanging. Suppressing stress is no better than suppressing anger, sadness or any other emotion. Here's a great way to hit the reset button while lowering your resting heart rate to boot.

• Building confidence

Running is a rewarding endeavor in that it brings immediate feedback about your progress. So you just shaved 2 minutes off your 3 mile run? Nice going and you probably lost a pound or two in the process of getting there. Evidently, you have the discipline and determined to achieve the goals you set for yourself. That mechanism applies to your professional and personal life too. Simply put, once you have established a pattern of wins, it is easy to continue that trend in all areas of life.

• Boosting competitive spirit

Taking the point above one step further, you can up the ante by challenging yourself or others. In fact, one of the best things you can do is partner up with someone younger and stronger than you, so that you have to fight to keep up. Make modest bets and build a friendly rivalry, if the other person is compatible. You can also sign up for local events and make it a point to climb the rankings for each passing year.

• Fighting depression

Clinically depressed people are often advised to take up running, since the "runner's high" that often occurs during a hard run works as a direct antidote to negative feelings. Endorphins, the body's "happy drugs" responsible for the euphoria, are similar to morphine and brings about a strong feeling of general wellness. Add the psychological boost of having accomplished your goals and it's really hard to hold on to a depression after a good run.

• Sharpening focus

Finally, your brain benefits from the healthy blood flow, good balance of bodily hormones and all the other physical effects of exercise. Sure, the jocks may not have seemed too sharp and perhaps the pencilnecks did end up with the highest marks back in high school. But a booksmart person making an effort to physically stay in shape is more likely to maintain focus and mental stamina, which is why there is some research and many anecdotes about the top achievers in higher learning institutions fitting this profile. In any case, it should be fairly obvious that there's more to regular exercise than a strong heart. So make a difference in all areas of your life and get on the trail today. Good luck!

• Pictures of People Exercising
• Women Fitness Models
• Male Fitness Model

• Breast Lifting Exercise
• Contour Abs
• Naked Exercise
• Naked Pilates
• Hula Hoop Exercises

• Social Benefits of Exercise
• Category:Cardio
• 10K Running Training Plan