9 Surprising Ways Running Boosts Your Mental Health

One in six adults in the US deals with mental illness. Issues like stress and anxiety are affecting more people than ever, leading to higher suicide rates and costing billions of dollars while impacting millions of lives negatively.

There are many things that affect your mental health, but one major factor is a lack of physical activity. Research shows that getting regular exercise can have a positive impact on mental health. The simplest way to get these benefits is by adding running to your daily routine.

Running can really help improve your brain function and mental well-being. Everyday problems and worries may seem small, but when stress builds up, it can become a significant issue. Almost everyone complains about stress, but while we can’t remove all life’s troubles, we can prepare our minds to handle them better.

Studies have shown that regular exercise helps build resilience to stress. Even participating in just one physical exercise session a week can lead to better responses to stressful situations. Another study found a link between physical activity and reduced anxiety.

Depression is a severe mental disorder that takes away hope and leaves people feeling drained. If you’re feeling down, try running. The ‘runner’s high,’ a euphoric feeling that long-distance runners experience, shows you don’t need to run a marathon to feel good. Short running sessions can also be very rewarding. In fact, physical exercise has been found to be as effective as antidepressants for people suffering from major depression.

Running’s benefits go beyond just improving your mood. It can help you perform better in various areas of life. For example, running can boost students’ learning and memory. In one study, a group of students who ran performed better than those who played video games or did nothing. Another study confirmed that aerobic exercise improves cognitive function.

If poor concentration, forgetfulness, or procrastination is holding you back, running can help improve your focus and attention. A 2014 study found that physical exercise boosts executive functions and cognitive control by activating parts of the brain responsible for attention and memory.

Feeling stressed and frustrated because you’re not meeting your goals? Starting your day with a run can help you achieve more. Your brain is most active and creative right after waking up, so you can get more done in the morning than at night when you’re tired.

Running can even make you smarter. Neuroscientists at Cambridge University found that running stimulates the growth of new grey matter in the brain, which is critical for functions like memory, decision-making, and self-control. High-intensity exercises like sprinting can also improve performance in non-sport activities, according to similar research.

Running can add years to your life and improve its quality. Conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, which affect many otherwise healthy people, have shown signs of being slowed down by regular running. For example, people who run regularly are less likely to develop dementia in their 80s. Aerobic exercise has also been found to boost brainpower, especially in older adults.

Depression and excitement can be contagious. Being around positive people can help you think positively, and running could be a great way to connect with friends or make new ones through running clubs.

Lack of sleep can really mess with your mind, but running can help if you struggle with insomnia. A morning run can make it easier to fall asleep and improve the quality of your sleep.

Running isn’t for everyone, but if you can fit a short run into your daily routine, you might find it brings significant benefits. Besides mental health benefits, running also improves overall health and reduces risks of major health issues like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. This improved health can positively impact your mood and help you think more clearly. So, consider going for a run today!