Keeping active is good for our bodies and for our minds. Running is a particularly great form of activity that will not only get your heart pumping, but will boost your feel good hormones, and leave you feeling happy and relaxed.
Here are 5 mental health benefits of running:
1. Manage stress
Running, especially when outside, can help your body deal with mental tension by increasing the release of natural chemicals in the body that moderate the bodies response to stress.
2. Boost brain power
Getting the heart pumping and blood flowing around the body can improve brain performance. The positive effects on the brain are even greater when the run is tough.
3. Increase creativity
For up to 2 hours after a run, creative juices are increased. So next time you are staring at a blank page, or find yourself stuck on a problem, get outside and run!
4. Sharpen memory
Even running a few minutes each day can have huge benefits on memory and cognitive decline. If you struggle to remember key things, why not consider giving running a go?
5. Sleep better
Running isn’t just great for helping you to feel better during the day, it can also help you sleep better at night. Research suggests that running can make it easier to get to sleep and sleep deeper when you are in dreamland.
Next time you are struggling to motivate yourself to lace up and get outside, consider these mental health benefits of running. For more information about running and incorporating it into your day, check out the #runsome campaign on runsome.org or connect with the Leeds Running Mayor on Twitter: @RunMayor_Leeds
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