Run Yourself Happy

As last week was Mental Health week I wanted to reflect on this and share what I believe is one of the major benefits of running. Yes, running is convenient (as it really just requires a place to run and a pair of trainers) and makes you fitter due to the physiological changes it causes to the body. But what is so good about running for our mental health?

1. Runner High

If you have ventured into the world of running, you may have experienced the famous 'runner high'. It may have happened during your run or after. The physiology behind the runner high is still not fully established. Although in the past it was attributed to the production of endorphins, more recent studies have shown it may be more closely related to the production of endocannabinoids (chemical that's part of the system that moderates the feel-good effect of marijuana) or even leptin, the satiety hormone.

Wherever it comes from, runner high feels good and definitely worth running for!

2. Increased Self-confidence from Achievement

Running is all about conquering challenges. You set yourself a goal and work towards achieving it. There is nothing like the elation you feel once you have reached it. The size of the goal doesn't matter: completing a Couch to 5k programme can be just as fulfilling as achieving a sub-3hr personal best (PB!). It's all a result of where you start and where you finish. The key is to always push yourself further than what you think you can achieve right now. When I lead Couch to 5k programmes, I consistently hear the same feedback: 'I never thought I was capable of doing this!'. This is a huge boost to self-confidence, and what's even better is that this self-confidence is transferable: although it may come from achieving a running goal, this new found confidence then can be applied to your work, your family life, and in your interaction with your friends. Everybody wins!

3. Increased Self-Confidence from Improved Body image

Running, as I mentioned, results in physiological changes in the long run. These includes the like of decreased resting heart rate, reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reduced body fat, increased metabolic rate after exercise, and more. So it basically improves your quality of life and your self-image. This in turn, will have obvious beneficial psychological effects.

4. Increased Resilience

There is no doubt about it: running can be hard. When you increase the distance you will experience an increased level of discomfort that you need to get used to. You also need to learn to pace yourself, as this is key to both enjoyment and performance. Once running becomes part of your life, you will becomes accustomed to the effort involved in running that distance, at that speed, for that long. Unless you are exceptionally gifted (think Mo Farah, Paula Radcliffe) and/or able to devote your waking hours to training you will also come to accept the fact that you will never win a race, and be completely ok with it as it's all about beating yourself. All these lessons will make you more resilient as a person.

5. New friends

When you decide the become a runner, that quickly becomes part of your personality and you will start identifying yourself as a runner. Although this can be seen as a solitary sport, the running world is a huge community, which is very inclusive with great camaraderie: once in their vest and shorts, there is no way to differentiate a CEO from a factory worker, and they will likely happily rub shoulders and exchange a bit of runner banter at the start of a race. But the good thing is, you don't need to race to join that community: try Parkrun , your local running club or just a local running group! I met a few of my close friends through running myself. I think at the end of the day all runners have something in common: a sheer determination and a drive that will translate to other areas of their life, and that brings us all together. If you can run a half-marathon and marathon or even a mile, there is a chance that you will want to reach a little bit higher too in your work and personally lives, regardless of your background.

And if the above doesn't convince you, just one more thing: I have never met anyone who feels mentally worse after a run than before. Just for that, I think it's worth a try!