There is something about running that just helps to release the stress of the day. Running can also jumpstart a really positive day. Think about a time when you got out early in the morning and saw a beautiful sunrise. Remember how good it felt to have started the day doing something healthy, positive and productive with that time.
Here are some of the reasons behind that feeling:
Time for you
Setting aside some time for a run (or even a walk!) helps to clear the head among many other benefits. According to the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, this happens because new neurons are activated and blood flow is increased in regions of the brain involved with learning and emotion. Other studies have noted an increase of blood flow to the brain's frontal lobe, which is involved with clear thinking, planning ahead, focus and concentration. There is no wonder we sometimes come up with super creative ideas on a run or can come back to the office and tackle work or life tasks with greater ease!
Time in nature and time to be present
According to Headspace, “mindfulness is the idea of learning how to be fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment.”
ASICS FrontRunner Meryl Cooper is a big proponent of being mindful. "When I am running on trail and I am having to focus on where I am putting my feet, I find that I can only really focus on that one thing at that time. It becomes the only thing on my mind, giving me distance and space from the thoughts that might have been around before the run. I soon find that my stress, worries and to do lists dissipate quite quickly. Thoughts will come and go, but I get lots of practice bringing myself back to the present when I am trail running and I am training my mind to be more in the present moment. This then gets carried into my daily life, allowing me to manage stress better and clear the mind more easily at other times," she says.
Work on yourself
Fitting even just 20 minutes of running in to your day will allow you to keep working on yourself and making progress in your health. This in itself will help you to feel so much better about your self and think more clearly and positively. Yes, to go out and do an hour long run would be wonderful, but sometimes we might have to take a smaller step as life can throw things at us that we just don’t expect. On days where you really want to do an hour, but can’t, instead of doing nothing go out for 20 minutes. Possibly you could also listen to an inspiring podcast at the time and be learning about something that interests you whilst you exercise. Click here to learn how to fit running into your schedule
You do have the time to clear your mind everyday
Start thinking about how you have an abundance of time, rather than saying ‘I don’t have time.’
Remember, start small and 20 or even 10 minutes is better than none. You deserve a break and to reap the mental and physical health benefits each day!
ASICS is inviting people all over the world to experience the uplifting power of sport and become one of the million minds moved. The project kicks off on Global Running Day 2021, with ASICS challenging runners everywhere to use the Mind Uplifter™ tool to capture their pre and post-run mental wellbeing before sharing their results on social media using #UpliftingMinds. Learn more here.
