5 Ways Running Will Change Your Life
“It took a while for her to figure out she could run, but when she did…it changed her life.” -‘Stupid Boy’ by Keith Urban
You’re not feeling like your best self. You’re tired, anxious, and overwhelmed by all the daily responsibilities that tend to take over your life, and lacking any motivation to focus on your own well-being. You’re “stuck in a rut”.
We’ve all been there at one time or another. There are times in our life that we feel totally on top of our game, 100% motivated, crushing goals, dancing happily through life and checking things off our “To Do” list like a Boss. And then…there are times that just getting off the couch long enough to use the bathroom feels like a monumental task.
This is your time of need…you are lacking Self-care.
The Self-Care Circle
Most of the time when we’re feeling overwhelmed and off-balance, we are suffering from a lack of self-care and we don’t even realize it. As wives, moms, sisters, and friends, we all have an inherent tendency to put everyone else’s needs before our own. We stretch ourselves so thin making sure everyone around us is happy that we put our own needs aside. What we fail to realize is that it’s impossible for our hearts to serve others well if we are not taking care of the vessel in which our heart thrives- our bodies.
Self-care can be wrapped in many types of packages: proper nutrition, regular exercise, mindful meditation, spa days, girl trips, or any combination of these. The important thing is finding what works for you and taking action toward it.
Start by introducing one aspect of self-care into your routine at a time. By slowly and consciously setting aside time for yourself, you will begin to see a transformation in your life. For instance, let’s say your goal is to exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. After a while, you’ll start to realize that you have more energy, you feel healthier, and you’re more motivated. This will lead you to start making healthier food choices to further enhance that feeling. Once you enter this mindful state of taking care of yourself, it will begin to expand to all aspects of your life, will circle back, and overflow into the lives of everyone around you.
Choose Your Happy
We all experience stress in our lives which is why it is so fundamentally important to find an outlet that makes you genuinely happy. My “happy place” and best stress reliever is Running. It’s become such a part of who I am that it’s like an instinct, like eating, sleeping, and breathing. Running has changed me both physically and mentally. Not only is it one of the best calorie-burning exercises, but it also helps clear my head when I’m feeling overwhelmed.
The series of conversations and arguments I have with myself while running helps me feel stronger mentally, not just physically. The strength you gain from running spills over to all parts of your life when you are faced with challenges and obstacles that you need to overcome.
5 Awesome Ways Running Will Change Your Life
So, without further ado, here are 5 awesome ways running will change your life:
1. Running burns an average of 100 calories per mile
If you are looking for a serious calorie burn, look no further. While the exact number of calories burned will fluctuate based on specifics like body weight, age, and body composition, it still burns more calories than most other recreational activities.
2. Running can help reduce stress
Stress can have significant negative impact on your body including your heart, lungs, brain, and digestive and immune systems. Running releases endorphins- those “feel good” hormones which help slow the aging process, relieve stress and anxiety, and enhance the immune system.
3. Running helps to build strong bones
This is especially good news as we get older. As we age, our bones that are not worked out regularly can become weak. Active running helps bones remain strong and flexible.
4. Running can enhance joint health
Just as it does for bones and muscles, running strengthens cartilage, which cushions our joints. Strong muscles built by a healthy combination of running and strength training, support joints, making them less vulnerable to injury.
5. Running boosts brain power
Running improves focus and helps you learn and process information quicker. As a result of increased cortisol levels, runners benefit from better memorization and information retention skills. So, runners are not only fit and less stressed, but smart too!
The Time is Now
While I am clearly a fan of Running, I encourage you to find your “happy place.” Wherever that place is, stop making excuses and get started. It doesn’t have to be the first of the month, a Monday, or your birthday to break out of that “rut” and begin down the path of self-care.
Tips to get you started on the right foot:
- Set a realistic goal
- Make an action plan
- Schedule it into your day
Once you (and your loved ones) start to see the benefits of your new self-care routine, there will be no stopping you!