We’ve all heard of the 'runner's high' but you may not experience it every time you run. Don’t worry if that rush of endorphins doesn’t hit you every time. There are plenty of other running mental health benefits that you can experience along the trails.
If you have mental health challenges or you’re just feeling a little overwhelmed, a regular running schedule can help you feel much better.
Stress reduction
Running has been shown to increase the 'feel-good' hormones in your brain, like serotonin and dopamine. These hormones are responsible for the fabled ‘runner’s high’, but even if you don’t completely bliss out while running, there will be a noticeable improvement in your mood. Running gets you away from the conditions that increase your stress levels and out into the great outdoors.
Helps with focus and goal setting
A regular running schedule shows yourself that you can meet commitments and achieve goals helping you to feel productive. Each time you lace up your shoes you're doing something positive for your physical and mental health. This might count as a small win, but it will feed into your understanding of yourself and will help you to meet other goals in your life, too.
Sleeping
Clearing away negativity by increasing feel-good hormones is a fantastic running benefit mental health. As you relax through your run, you also burn off nervous energy, take in fresh air and give yourself time to think. When it comes to bed time, you’ll find your head is clearer and your body will be fatigued – perfect conditions for a restful night’s sleep. Getting up to run just before sunrise can help to reset your circadian rhythm too.
Socialising
When a person’s mental health declines, it’s common to retreat from regular social activities. Running with a group encourages you to be around others. They’ll often be in a positive frame of mind themselves which can help to boost your mood. Plus, you can be with people but you can still choose how much you want to engage with them during the run.
That's your mental wellbeing covered, now for looking after your body whilst you run. Enertor insoles are designed to look after your joints and feet, absorbing impact from your foot strike and protecting your legs from the toes up.