Here's A Few Reasons To Give Running A Try
Whether you prefer to lift in the gym, climb up the side of a mountain, or swim laps in the pool, exercise benefits your body, mind, and heart.
But—as you may have discovered by spending a bit of time around here—we're also advocates for switching up your regimen every now and then. Sure, it's great to know what you love and what works well for your body, but it's also beneficial to try new activities and move your muscles in new and unfamiliar ways.
Enter: Running.
While running is not for everyone—consult your doctor if you have an injury or struggle with high-impact exercise—the sport does have incredible health benefits. Here are just a few:
1. Running Relieves Stress and Is Good For Your Mind
While it is true that exercise is general reduces stress and relieves tension, running also forces us to focus on your breathing and steps for longer periods of time. Unlike weight training or HIIT workouts (where you are consistently using your brain to transition from one exercise to the next), running is rhythmic—so you don't have to think. All you have to focus on is your pace, breath, and putting one foot in front of the other.
This no-thinking workout is great for reducing stress, too, as it allows your brain to relax and focus solely on movement. Every needed to think through a problem and opted to go on a walk? Running offers that same gift of fresh air and space to think. Some people even use it for meditation and mindfulness. Finally, running has even been shown to help with depression, anxiety, and overall mental health.
2. Running Strengthens Your Heart and Lungs
Looking to strengthen your lungs and improve heart health? Hello, running.
And this is especially true when running for long periods of time and at higher elevations. Further, one study has even found that runners have a lower mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease.
3. Running Improves Core Strength and Is Great For Your Joints
Running is a great exercise to incorporate into your workouts because it helps to strengthen your core, as well as your joints. Because of the compression and expansion happening to your body during a run, your cartilage and ligaments can be strengthened over time.
4. Running Gets You Outside
Possibly our favorite reason to go for a few runs each month is that it gets you outside and in the Colorado sunshine! And being outside is both beneficial to your physical and mental health (Vitamin-D)—just make sure to wear sunscreen!
If you are planning to try running this summer, check out our favorite trails in Colorado! And if you need some more running tips, here's how to get the most out of the sport.
Be sure to share with us your favorite reasons to incorporate running into your fitness routine on Facebook or Instagram!
