Mental Benefits of Running

A resident of Omaha, Nebraska, Kirby Spencer McDonald is a finance professional with over two decades of experience and a life and health insurance license. The president of Illuminate Financial group in Omaha, Kirby McDonald spends his free time golfing and running.

Running is a popular athletic pursuit that provides many well-known physical benefits. In addition to the physical benefits of running, scientists have discovered numerous mental benefits.

Running aids stress reduction. A naturally produced chemical known as endocannabinoids (biochemical substances) flows into your body when you run. This chemical moves into your brain and provides short-term feelings of calm and reduced stress.

Also, running helps boost mood. An emotional boost occurs due to running, referred to as a runner’s high (a sensation that triggers feel-good emotions) that can help improve your mood.

A review analysis conducted in 2020 looked at over 100 studies, particularly the connection between mental health and running, and reported that running could help improve a person’s reaction to mental situations. Running produces a hormone that allows a person to deal with mental stress.

Many studies have shown that consistent running practice can reduce stress and enhance mood, among other mental benefits. Depending on the runner’s consistency, these benefits can be long-term or short-term.