Top 8 reasons people should run

I am a runner. I run 5-6 times a week and enjoy it immensely. I have joined Cross Country and Track. Every day when I get home from a run I feel accomplished, relaxed, and ready to take on the rest of the day.  I believe everyone should at least try running, because it is a very simple way to be active, healthier, and happier.

1. Most Accessible Sport

Running is one of the most readily available activities anyone can do. For other sports such as basketball, swimming, or soccer they require a lot of equipment and space. Running on the other hand, with shoes being the only need accessory, is a cheap and easy sport for anyone to do. All you have to do is put shoes on and start running.

2. It will keep you healthy

Running has been proven by many studies to help keep people healthy and live longer. The American heart association recommends running to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It is also proven to, on an average, add three years to your life, even running slow for 5 minutes.  Finally, running (or any other physical activity) lowers risk for 13 out of 26 cancers researched.

3. Developing Endurance and Speed

By continuing to run often, it will develop endurance and speed. This means that the 100s of stairs at Central would be less exhausting, running in a race would be possible, and be faster than 50% of the population.

4. Better Feelings

Running has been proven to lift people’s mood, as exercise releases endorphins (relieves pain and stress), Dopamine (motivation), and serotonin (boosts mood). This results in a very relaxing run and an unstressful day afterwards.

5. Sleeping Better

According to Sleep.org, as little as ten minutes of exercise can help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep just bit longer.

6. Purpose

Running gives people goals. It could be to run just a bit farther each time, or to be able run a 5k by next month. Whatever it is, it helps you practice goal setting and then each workout gives you a feeling of accomplishment. “I am done. I feel good,” is a very common saying in cross country.

7. Getting to eat more food

Naturally, exercising means that you need more calories to sustain living, breathing, and growing. So therefore, running gives you an excuse to eat more.

8. Productiveness

By exercising during the day, people had more concentration, needed less breaks, and finished their work on time more often than when they wouldn’t exercise. Running also produces more brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which stimulates better memory in your brain.

All in All, running has many benefits, both on the outside body and the mind. So give running a try!