Running Relieves Stress

Running can help relieve stress. If you haven’t noticed what’s going on in the economy or aren’t feeling it, you undoubtedly have noticed that friends, parents, and loved ones are more anxious right now because of the twists and turns in the economy.  The stockmarket has lost a significant amount of its value along with many people It’s a tough time for a lot of people and stress is piling up.  So yes, “TGIF” is the pertinent saying.

Exercise increases blood flow and with it, inhibits the release of certain other hormones.  One of those hormones is cortisol: the body’s natural stress hormone.  It increases release of endorphins, which are our “feel good hormones” which cause that other effect known as runners’ high.  We all know about that, don’t we?

Running also distracts us from our problems.  It alleviates our worries because we focus our attention in other directions.  Running takes you down familiar, comfortable paths, or off exploring new ones.  Either way, both are good for our attitudes.

And finally, one other positive effect of running on our attitude.  It helps us lose weight and trim our physiques.  Which whether we admit it or not, makes us feel better.  Who doesn’t like feeling better about themselves and their appearance.  You can say it’s shallow, but this does make people feel better about them appearance, and act more confident.