Hitting the pavement or the treadmill comes with an array of health benefits that are easily achievable with a little persistence. We all know it comes hand in hand with weight loss trends, but did you know it also benefits almost every part of your body and mind?
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This is music to our ears as we begin imagining ourselves running along the beach Baywatch style turning heads everywhere we go. The good news is with a little effort this daydream isn’t as far fetched as you might think you just have to catch up to it.
Running is a great form of cardio and is an effective way to burn fat and calories helping to shed those extra few winter kilos. Consistent running is also perfect to help maintain weight loss and counteract that mars bar you couldn’t resist at lunchtime.
Fun Fact: Running is the second most effective exercise in terms of calories burned per minute, what’s the first? Cross-country skiing, that’s not as easy as a quick run along the bike track.
This is fantastic on its own, but running also helps with your mood combating unwanted stress and fatigue as well as improving your cardiovascular health. It works by decreasing your risk of developing high blood pressure or your risk of having a heart attack. This is because running helps your arteries retain their elasticity, which strengthens your heart reducing your risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
Relieving stress and helping prevent depression is another benefit of working out your muscles on a lengthy run. Running exerts enough energy that it burns through your body’s hormones that in excess can trigger stress or stress related disorders like anxiety this also helps reduce tendencies for tension headaches. If that wasn’t enough you can chuck out your pricey depression medication because running causes your body to secrete hormones that naturally improve your mood, almost like a natural and free happy drug.
Although, one of the best most noticeable benefits of running is how it acts as a confidence booster. Setting goals and achieving them is incredibly empowering and nothing feels better than the wind in your hair as your self-esteem skyrockets.
For more running inspiration check out our list of Sydney’s Top ten fun running trails!
So what are you waiting for? We think it’s time to hit the track.
Image via womenshealthmag.co.uk
