The Powerful Effects of Running
By Molly Carreiro
“I believed in running. I believed that if people got out and ran a few miles every day, the world would be a better place” –Phil Knight, founder of Nike
Growing up, I always played sports. When I came to college, it was strange to realize that I would no longer be practicing lacrosse or field hockey every day. I would no longer be running up and down a field doing sprints for hours on end.
With so much of my childhood consumed by physical activity, it felt wrong for me to give up something I loved for much of my life. At the same time, I knew my days playing team sports were over.
This is when I discovered a love for running. Since that time, running has become one of my greatest daily joys. For me, running makes me feel alive.
Running has so many incredible benefits, physically and mentally. Here are my top 10 reasons why everyone should go out for a jog today:
30 minutes of running can lift symptoms of depression and improve mood.
Running has been proven to help improve sleep and boost your ability to focus.
Running can improve cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure.
Running can improve an aging mind, including working memory. It can help reduce cognitive decline!
Running improves your ability to cope with stress.
It burns calories! This is definitely an added bonus for anyone looking to stay in shape.
Running has been proven to increase a person’s lifespan. It adds years to your life, and life to your years.
Running can help prevent disease. For women, running can actually help to lower the risk of breast cancer.
Running is pretty much free! Forgo gym fees and head out for a scenic jog when the weather is nice.
Running boosts self-esteem. I believe it not only makes you feel strong, but it gives you a greater sense of empowerment and confidence to tackle whatever comes your way.
The benefits of running are undeniable. Whether it is your favorite part of your day or something you have to push yourself through, I promise both your body and mind will thank you afterwards.
If you are a first-time runner, know that it may be challenging at first, but stick with it! Be patient with yourself. In the beginning, you’re not going to wake up every day and have the energy to run five miles. Do what you can and work your way up from there. Start small, and you will find yourself feeling stronger and more confident with each new day.
