You have probably heard the saying that exercise is like medicine, and it’s definitely the truth. There is a lot of scientific evidence available to prove that exercising regularly for around thirty minutes per day, five days a week has health benefits which can extend beyond any medication that a doctor could prescribe. Running in particular is one exercise which has a multitude of health benefits including preventing obesity, and reducing the risk of serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and even some cancers. Here’s how running can improve your health and well-being.
Improves Happiness
If you have been working out regularly you may already have begun to feel a lot happier and positive. No matter how good or bad you’re feeling, taking part in exercise has a lot of potential to make you feel a lot better. There’s a reason why some people like to go for a brisk walk when they’re feeling angry or upset! The ‘runner’s high’ – that rush of feel-good hormones known as endocannabinoids is what helps to immediately lift our mood after a workout. Scientists have found that just thirty minutes of running on a treadmill can help to improve the mood of even someone suffering from major depressive disorder. Make sure to purchase the right pair of running shoes , as it will increase your performance.
Weight Loss
We all know that exercise is key to burning calories and losing weight. However, the bonus is that when you exercise, your body continues to burn calories even after you’ve finished your workout. Studies have shown that the more regularly you exercise, the ‘afterburn’ is boosted – meaning that those who exercise as often as possible have more potential to be burning unwanted calories even when they’re sitting in front of the TV. You don’t even have to be sprinting at top speeds to get this benefit, simply run at just a little faster than your comfortable pace.
Stronger Joints
It’s a long well-known fact that running helps to increase bone mass, and can even help stem bone loss related to age. However, you’ve probably had people warn you that running is bad for your knees but rest assured that this has been disproved by science. In fact, as long as you’re correctly fitted with the right pair of shoes such as Asics runners Australiathat offer ample support, running can actually improve knee health.
Reduced Cancer Risk
Running may not be able to cure cancer, but there is a lot of scientific proof to back up claims that regular running can help to prevent this disease. According to the Journal of Nutrition, regular exercise is associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, and in addition to this, patients already diagnosed with cancer can run to help improve their quality of life whilst undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy.
Live Longer
Science suggests that running can help you to live a longer and more fulfilled life. Even if you only run for the minimum period of physical activity which is thirty minutes, five times a week – you are likely to live longer than those who do not. Studies show that when different types of people began exercising, they lived longer than their projected life expectancy.
There are so many reasons to start running – it’s easy, so why not start today and get on the path to a healthier life!
