Regular running promotes the production of happiness hormones, improves sleep quality, and ‘charges’ positive energy.
Boosting Happiness Hormones
After a stressful day at the office, running is a great way to relax. In fact, all forms of rhythmic exercise, including running, promote the production of endorphins – the happiness hormones. Endorphins act as natural antidepressants and enhance mental health.
Improving Social Relationships
Running intertwines with the basic need for social relationships, as it encourages us to meet people with similar interests.
While many people tend to schedule runs with friends or family members, arranging runs with colleagues is a smart way to improve relationships at work while benefiting the body. You might even join running groups to meet like-minded individuals.
Better Sleep
Unlike running errands all day, running expends your energy in the best possible way. You may feel tired but not drained. Therefore, running not only helps you sleep earlier but also improves the quality of your sleep.
Energizing
Running not only provides you with good sleep but also maintains your energy levels high and stable. Just three days of rhythmic exercise per week can ward off everyday fatigue.
Learning Patience
Running also involves comparing yourself to… yourself. At times, you might want to stop and go home, or contemplate giving up and watching TV instead. However, when you keep running and push your limits, you train your mind to set goals and follow through on your intentions. After reaching these goals, you may even feel motivated to set more challenging ones, ready to overcome obstacles and build self-confidence.
Enjoying Nature and Fresh Air
What could be more beneficial to health than breathing in fresh air and immersing oneself in nature? Even merely spending time under the sun, soaking up vitamin D, can reduce the risk of depression symptoms. Your body benefits immensely from being outdoors.