#HealthBytes: 5 life-changing health benefits of running
One of the most popular exercises the world over, running is great for your overall physical and mental health. What makes running such a common physical activity is that it's pretty minimalist- it requires nothing but you, and a pair of sports shoes. Also, it can be easily incorporated into your routine as per your ease. Here are top 5 health benefits of running.
Running helps improve your cardiovascular health
One of the best cardio workouts, running is a great way of improving your overall heart health. According to a breakthrough study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, regular runners are at a 50% less risk of succumbing to heart disease-induced deaths. Running helps decrease your resting heart rate, and keeps your arteries healthy, thus promoting a balanced blood circulation.
After all, 'Runner's high' is not a myth
Running has shown quite positive mental, and emotional health benefits on participants. This happens mainly because during running, our brain releases two feel-good chemicals, namely- endorphins and endocannabinoids, which lighten our mood, and stimulate happiness. In addition, many runners feel more confident about themselves and their body, as a result of regular running. Well, what could possibly be a better way of staying happy?
Running increases bone density, and strengthens your joints
Running, by stressing your bones and joints, during the process, helps strengthen them. According to a study by the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, running reduces risk of knee osteoarthritis by half, as compared to walkers. By coupling their running regimen, with a healthy, balanced diet, runners can reduce risk of threatening orthopaedic issues like osteoporosis in the long run.
Run over stress, anxiety, headaches, and depression!
Runners are happy people, and research backs the fact. Regular running has shown to reduce stress levels, anxiety, and headaches in individuals. It boosts your brain's serotonin levels, making you feel calmer and more relaxed. What's more? By naturally enhancing your mood, improving focus, and boosting the grey matter, running works as one of the few, effective medication-less ways of dealing with depression.
Running helps you burn calories, and maintain a healthy weight
Running is one of the most effective and simple exercises to help you lose extra weight or maintain a healthy one. For instance, a person weighing 70 kilos, by running a mile in 10 minutes, can burn as many as 12 calories per minute. With such great calorie-burning, confidence-boosting, mood-enhancing, and bone-strengthening abilities, you can't say no to running any more, can you?
