Run For 30 Minutes & Watch What Happens
Even a 30-minute run can transform what’s going on inside your body and brain. Ever wondered exactly what happens when you go for a run? We’ve got the low-down.
Every time you go for a run, you are guaranteed to see or feel at least one benefit ranging from a big boost of happy hormones, to regulated blood pressure, and a stronger metabolic rate.
You’ll Feel Great
This systematic review of over 1000 studies looked at the link between physical activity and happiness. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10902-018-9976-0 It found that your favourite form of exercise can help with negative aspects of mental health, but can also be really useful even if you do not suffer with any depression or low mood. Even if you have good mental health, you can reap the rewards of running. Running is associated with happiness, and happiness has recognised links with better physical health: higher labels of happiness are linked to lower morbidity.
Get A Mood Boost
Just 20 minutes of running can work almost like an antidepressant in boosting your mood, helping you feel more positive, and putting things in perspective. Running reduces activity in the frontal cortex, making it one of the best – and fastest – ways to tackle daily stress and worry. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-016-4587-7?wt_mc=alerts.TOCjournals
This study talks about the impact of running on brain reward pathways https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938407002016 and this paper discusses the use of running as partial treatment for depressive disorder. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702700/
Protect Your Heart Health
But it’s not all about your mood and brain function. Even a short run has a positive impact on your blood pressure, helping regulate BP to a degree that means it could even be a drug-free option for hypertension. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5369884/ This means running is a crucial part of living a heart-healthy lifestyle, helping reduce your risk of issues including cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Increase Metabolic Rate
And the benefits of that short run extend long beyond the run itself. A 45-minute run could boost your metabolic rate (and the energy you expend) for 12+ hours! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21311363
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