If there is one thing that people became more aware of last year, it’s mental health. Something that we don’t mention as often as we should, but it’s critical for our well-being. Our mental health is as important as our physical health, and it deserves our undivided attention if we want to live one good and purposeful life.
What is mental health?
Mental health is our current emotional and psychological state and includes our social well-being. It affects our whole life and controls our behavior and choices. What impacts mental health is stress, instability, personal issues, toxic environment, natural disasters, work, social factors, medical history, and more. Thus, there are internal and external factors that play a role. However, it’s up to us to realize what has influenced our MH and how we can make a positive change to improve it. Take it as a self-care job that is the most important one you will have in your life, the one job that can change your entire life and experience.
How is mental health related to running?
Running boosts your mood
This is due to the hormones that are released during exercising. When you run, you produce more serotonin and endorphins, improving your mood and making you happier. Being happy is, of course, the emotional state you want to be in. So doing a little jog at an easy to vigorous level may be the pill you need right now.
Running reduces the feeling of (social) separation
Especially now, when isolation and social distance are so common in our agenda, doing a run may help. Running makes you belong. You belong to a community – the community of runners. Even if it’s informal, you know you’re not alone. Moreover, you can actually join a group, club, or virtual challenge. It’s another way to connect with people who have similar interests and make you feel less isolated. Moreover, Vitesse Running is another small running community to offer you help through our app, online groups, and our blog! Never be afraid to reach out. We’re so glad to help!
Running can be a therapy!
Not only do some studies show that, but I bet you have felt it yourself. How often have you felt better after doing a run or even just taking a walk? It’s because moving has the power of clearing your mind and reducing the feeling of depression. Sometimes all we need is just some fresh air and comfortable shoes to “meditate” in our own way. Or why not take a friend that can hear us out and be our therapist on the run? Yes, because sometimes this is what we need – somebody to be there for us and listen to our problems. And we know – running friends are best friends!
Running can improve confidence and positive self-image.
People who feel their mental health is well are those who feel in control. They believe that they can handle the cards they’re holding right now regardless of the barriers they face. This is something that running teaches us each day. It helps us build a character and shape us to be stronger. Running is challenging, and we learn to face the challenges and overcome them. Running as a sport shows off our inner strength. Runners build a positive self-image daily because they learn to be fighters and know they are.
We also often use a lot of positive self-talk during hard workouts or long runs, and we know it helps
Running helps your physical health. Doing regular exercise and eating healthy is the basis for good (physical) health, preventing you from the most common diseases we face nowadays. Therefore, prevention is the most essential tool you can use to be healthy. There is no need to link how our physical health affects our mental health, so we (REALLY) need to take care of both. And running does that for us. It’s perhaps the most accessible sport you can try, you literally need only a pair of comfortable shoes and clothes, plus you can do it everywhere. Running will not only make you mentally stronger, but it will also make you look good in your own skin. It’s a win-win situation!
You might also be interested in:
- 3 Major Setbacks in Running and How to Overcome them
- 10 Key Marathon “Do’s” and “Don’ts”
- The Secret to Running a Successful Marathon
- 7 Best things to do after a run to recover faster
- 8 Undeniable Benefits of Long Runs
- The Power of Visualization in Running
- Top 9 High Knees Benefits for Runners
- Recommended Dynamic Pre-run Warmup Exercises from an Olympian
