Physical activity is important. Your body is designed to walk, run, work, and perform various tasks. It needs to move to stay healthy. The chronic lack of movement is much more dangerous for you than excessive physical activity. These are facts backed by science.
Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle often requires less movement or does not allow enough time for meaningful physical activity. This can have hazardous consequences for your health. Weight-gain, chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, depression, and decreased brain function are all associated with lack of movement.
Experts agree that running is the most beneficial of all physical activities
It is also the one most people find the toughest to commit to. This is understandable. For an untrained body, running can prove to be a painful, will-crushing experience. However, facts are relentless. When it comes to your health, running beats all other exercises by a large margin.
That is why we want to help you start running. At least enough to experience those health benefits.
The Running Minimum
If you do not like running but are ready to give it a try for your health’s sake, you would probably like to know the absolute health-effective minimum for this type of activity. Unfortunately, there is no such thing.
Chances are that the more you run, the healthier you will be
However, some running is better than no running. So, don’t think that you have to run for an hour every day to improve your health. Our advice is the following. Do as much as you can and just a bit more, your body will feel the improvement.
This principle of steady small increments applies to all, the miles, the time, and the speed.
How can running for health help you?
A combined summary of several studies shows that running is highly beneficial for health. These findings show that runners have a significantly lower risk of developing various conditions.
The risk of death from a stroke or heart disease is almost 50% lower in runners, compared to non-runners. When it comes to other causes, non-runners have a 30% higher death risk than runners. Running also reduces the risk of cancer by 23%.
These numbers tell a very clear story about the benefits of running.
The best thing is that scientists support the claim that even occasional running is better than no running at all. Most of the participants in these studies were running one day or less than fifty minutes, a week on average.
A Word of Advice
Running is a simple physical activity that does not require much learning. It can also be done in many different places and is usually free. However, some tips can help your running start smoother.
- Consider starting your run with a walk and build up speed later
- Get a pair of comfortable running shoes. Your feet will thank you for them.
- Do not use your running shoes for too long. Replace them when you notice the first changes in their structure or performance.
- Women should consider a sports bra.
- Visit and consult your doctor before you start running.
- Plan your runs and try to make them as fun as possible.
- Set a goal, keep a diary, or both.
- Add an upper-body exercise.
- Adjust your diet to your new active lifestyle. The health benefits will multiply.
Running for health, The Final Word
If you do not have any health-related barriers preventing you, try running. Research shows that it is the number one activity for an overall health boost. Try to overcome the potentially unpleasant start, set yourself a goal, and run to it!
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