9 ways running keeps you fit and healthy

There are many reasons why you should run everyday. Here are some of them.

Editorial Team | Updated: January 14, 2015 4:24 pm

Tags: Jogging

Running is the simplest form of exercise that can be practised by everyone, from kids to adults and even the older population. While most people are aware that running every day can keep them healthy, not many follow it. That’s why, in this post we highlight how running can keep you healthy. Hope it encourages you to practice running regularly.

1# Keeps your heart healthy: The interiors of the two ventricles that pump out blood increase in size by 20 percent when you run. This increases blood supply all across your body, and benefits several organs. It also helps reduce bad cholesterol which is often the culprit behind heart diseases like heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that modest runners having heart disease had a 55% lowered risk of dying heart disease related death. Their overall risk of dying was reduced by 30% compared to non-runners [1].Here are some yoga poses to keep your heart healthy.

2# Great for your lungs: Running increases heart rate, thereby increases lung function. Running improves the function of respiratory muscles. It also causes alterations in the elasticity of lung and chest wall or of ventilatory muscles. It improves the vital capacity and other lung volume. [2]

4# Slows down ageing: Nobody likes to grow old but it is inevitable. Running has several health benefits that can delay the process. Several studies have confirmed that exercising can reverse ageing and running is one of the best forms of exercise you can do. Read how cardio exercises can slow down ageing.

5# Reduces depression: Few things can treat depression more rapidly than running. What happens is that running releases endorphins in your body and thus elevates your mood. Read how weight loss can reduce depression in women.

6# Aids digestion: Running speed up the process of digestion of food and helps absorption of nutrients from the food that you’ve eaten. It increases appetite and boosts metabolism, keeping your digestive system healthy. It’ll also help decrease the time that it takes for the food to pass through your large intestine thus aiding digestion.

7# Good for your bones: Running helps increase the bone density of your legs and hips. This makes it extremely good exercise for women in their menopausal stage, who are prone to lower bone density. This in turn helps prevent debilitating diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis [4].

8# Helps you sleep: Rigorous running can help keep your mind free from distractions that disrupt sleeping. Inadequate sleep will slow you down through the day and have an impact on your work and life. Here are 7 food items that will help you sleep better.

9# Makes you happy: People who run have better self-confidence as they know they are choosing good health in their lives. Also, running releases endorphins and gives you an escape from all the stress that can accompany existence in the urban world.

9# Helps you lose weight: If you want to lose weight, running is the best way to get started. Running boosts metabolism. It increases energy requirement of cells, causing the body to burn more calories, thereby helping you lose weight. It is difficult to say how much calories you’ll burn as that depends on your weight and the duration and speed of running. But it will definitely give you better results than walking. A study showed that running causes 90% greater weight loss than walking [4]. So what are you waiting for?

All of these health benefits of running makes it an exercise that you should try and do every day.

You could also try barefoot running. Here’s why experts recommend it.

Image source: Getty Images

Published: January 14, 2015 2:30 pm | Updated:January 14, 2015 4:24 pm

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