Most of us know that running is one of the healthiest activities that you can take on. From the numerous cardiovascular benefits to the powerful calorie-burning properties, regular running will help you keep your body healthy, lower blood pressure, reduce risk of diabetes, and increase energy, to name just a few. But did you know it can also boost your mood, improve your sleep, and help you deal with depression, anxiety, stress, and more?
Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It also reduces stress levels, improves creativity and mental energy, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood and self-esteem.
Additionally, we are all managing additional stress related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and, like never before, we need a strategy to deal with the extra emotional load we are facing.
Research indicates that even modest amounts of exercise can make a real difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use running as a powerful tool to deal with mental health problems, improve your energy and outlook, and get more out of life.
From less stress to a boost in self-esteem, exercise is as great for your brain as it is for your body.
WHAT'S NEXT? 5 STEPS TO OvercomE barriers
If running is so incredibly beneficial to the body, mind and spirit, why do we find it so hard to stick to it? Some common barriers, such as injury or illness, lack of energy or motivation, fear of failure, or even the weather can hinder people from being consistent and sometimes even getting started.
1. LOAD UP WITH SUPPORT
Being consistent and sustaining motivation may be enhanced by peer or family support, establishing goals or using electronic platforms offering exercise programs.
Establishing clear goals provides two essential elements for effective behavioral change: incentives and accountability.
2. ESTABLISH CLEAR GOALS
Committing to signing up for a race or a virtual event [8 Reasons To Run A Virtual Race In 2020] means setting a goal to work for and looking forward to. It requires you to follow a training schedule for the weeks leading up to race day and will soon create patterns for good habits. It can help you find the right motivation to start moving again and boost your endorphin levels. In fact, establishing clear goals provides two essential elements for effective behavioral change: incentives and accountability.
3. FIND YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Body image can act as a barrier to participating in physical activity. People who are anxious about their body, might avoid exercise as a result. For women, joining a female-only running group or signing up for a virtual event, may help to overcome anxiety as a barrier to initially starting to exercise. Exercising with a companion can also help to reduce anxiety, and may be particularly helpful during the first few running sessions.
4. TRAIN PROPERLY
Training properly plays an essential role in successfully achieving your goals and avoiding setbacks due to injuries. Check out our library of training resources for tips and tricks on how to enhance your running.
5. FIND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU
If you love the outdoors and want to improve your fitness and health, the Malibu Half Marathon & 5K [9 Reasons you need to Run the Malibu Half Marathon and 5K] is the perfect event to test your running skills and start a new healthy lifestyle.
If you do not feel you have what it takes to run the half marathon or virtual half marathon itself, you can always take part in the 5k run/walk just to test your appetite for this fantastic form of exercise. Click here to sign up.