Running is perhaps the oldest form of exercise to human nature. Human beings are built for endurance due to our history of running as nomadic peoples. We are built to outrun many land animals, not by speed but by distance. This means that we are fully equipped to take it up as a fitness exercise at any point. Not only is it a great way to get in shape, it also helps to quieten the mind and to get that blood pumping, helping to carry oxygen and nutrients around the body for a healthier heart and body. In fact, running has quite a few surprising benefits.
Here is why you should be taking up running to help improve your mind and body:
Endurance
Running helps to improve cardiovascular endurance. The more you run, the further you can run. This helps the heart and lungs to keep pumping oxygen more effectively round the body and helps to decrease the chances of clogged arteries or blood clots, reducing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a stroke. As more blood is being supplied to the muscles, it helps to build them, providing the basis of support for you to run further and longer next time. This endurance carries over into all areas of your life, most notably your sex life, helping you to last longer in bed and have more control over your orgasm timing.
Repairs Muscles
Running helps to repairs muscles that will generate over time, with age and wear and tear of the human body. Studies have found that running increases the production of a type of stem cell which actually encourages other cells to regenerate and repair. This means that running is a great way to prevent muscle wastage that is associated with aging.
Eases Anxiety and Stress
Running helps with mental conditions associated with our busy daily lives. This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, the physical exertion of running means the mind shuts off to other thoughts as it concentrates solely on running, providing a release from stress and anxiety. Secondly, running boosts the serotonin levels in the body while releasing endorphins, which allow you to counter effects of cortisol, the stress hormone, while increasing overall happiness levels in the body. Lastly, the cardiovascular exercise helps to pump blood straight to the brain, increasing oxygen levels and therefore improving cognitive functioning. This improvement in cognitive functioning allows brain cells to connect differently, leading to ‘eureka’ moments and breakthroughs that help to remedy the causes of stress and anxiety as you literally begin to think differently.
Prevents Cancer
Running helps to prevent an overload of insulin in your body, as it breaks this down, restoring a balance in blood sugar levels. Scientists believe that high levels of insulin in the body give signals to the cells to multiply wildly, causing cancer. By running, you help to keep your blood sugar balanced, which keeps an even level of insulin, helping toward preventing cancer. Equally, food can cause harmful chemicals to move through the bowel, damaging the cells and lining and causing inflammation which causes cell multiplication. Running reduces inflammation, preventing cell damage which can lead to bowel cancer.
We all knew running was good for us, but these surprising effects show that running can really improve your all-around body and mind health in more ways than imagined. So try slipping your sneakers on today and going for a jog, after all, you can do it anywhere.
