We all know that running is a great way to keep fit, but it can also benefit almost every part of your body and boost your endorphin levels.

Running is an ideal form of exercise with many health benefits, such as the proper functioning of your heart and your agility.

Whether it’s your favorite part of your day or something you just have to do, the benefits of aerobic exercise are undeniable. I am not just referring to the physical benefits such as weight loss and immune enhancement, but also to mental benefits as it boosts significantly your psychology!

The next time you want to sit on the couch and watch Netflix, wearing your “running sucks” t-shirt and eating unhealthy snacks, bring in mind the six reasons below that will  get you up from chairs, sofas etc and your favorite “comfort zone”, put your sneakers on, your favorite playlist on the headphones and start running!

  1. Running improves your health!

Believe it or not, running is really a great way to increase your overall health. Research shows that aerobic exercise, and more specifically running,  increases your levels of good cholesterol while helps to improve lung function and use. In addition, running can also boost your immune system and reduce the risk of developing blood clots.

  1. Aerobic exercise prevents serious illnesses!

For women, running can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. It can also help reduce the risk of stroke. Today, many doctors recommend running or even fast walking which is ideal for fat aburning, to those in early stages of ADA (American Diabetes Association), high blood pressure and osteoporosis, and it turns out to help reduce the risk of heart attacks, help the arteries maintain their elasticity and strengthen the heart. These facts, reduce significantly the chances of suffering a heart attack.

  1. Ideal for weight loss!

Running is one of the best forms of exercise for weight loss or for a fixed Body Mass Index. It is a great way to burn extra calories and the second most effective exercise, after skiing, for calories burned per minute. If your state of health is not ideal to start running, a fast walking is recommended for fat burning.

  1. Running boosts your self-confidence!

The benefits of aerobic exercise and running in particular are not only physical but also mental! Running can provide a remarkable boost to your self-confidence and self-esteem. By setting goals and achieving them, you can give yourself a great sense of empowerment, which will make you feel much happier.

  1. Relieves stress!

Stress can actually cause many health and mood problems. It can also affect the quality of sleep. When you run, you force your body to consume excessive energy and secrete hormones that make you feel great. Running also helps to reduce the chances of having strong headaches.

  1. Running has the power to eliminate depression!

When a person suffers from depression, the last thing he wants to do is get up and go for running. However, after a few minutes of aerobic exercise, your brain will begin to produce hormones that naturally improve your mood. In fact, there are few things in the world that can cope better or more quickly with depression than running. However, it had not been clarified whether it was a myth or a reality until now. According to recent research, the state of runners’ happiness is fact. During exercise, especially during jogging, the brain releases endorphins, a form of natural drug that positively affects mood and mental stimulation. Runners feel rejuvenated, they feel euphoria and happiness, and running becomes the most natural and innocuous “drug”. Running can make your day, but overdoing it has opposite results as it can become addiction. There are some cases of runners who despite the fact they have experienced injuries or knee problems and despite the warnings of the experts, keep running.

Running is incredibly beneficial for the body, the mind and the spirit. Even small distances can make you feel more energetic, more concentrated and more capable of enjoying all the things that life has to offer you!