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Mood and Mind

Want help with depression? Why running could be the best thing you can do for your mood

Want help with depression? Nicky Terrett tells us exactly why you should put on your running shoes to help your low mood

Anyone interested in living a healthy lifestyle must consider introducing some form of aerobic exercise into their routine – most Healthistas know that.

So long as you’re blessed with healthy feet, ankles, and knees – running could be a great option, capable of delivering a great cardio workout, while offering numerous benefits.

Strapping on your running shoes can have all kinds of physical benefits, including lowering your blood pressure, improving your muscle-to-fat ratio, and helping to fight the loss of muscle and bone density over time.

But the benefits of running are far more than just physical – running can also do wonders for your mind.

a quarter of the population will suffer some form of mental health problem in the course of a single year – with the most likely culprit being anxiety or depression

running woman happy, running and depression, by healthista.com

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, depression in England may be far more common than you think. In fact, a quarter of the population will suffer some form of mental health problem in the course of a single year – with the most likely culprits being anxiety or depression.

If you suffer from depression, then you’ll be crippled by periods of low moods – a symptom that could tempt you to stay in bed and avoid the outside world altogether.

However, studies – such one published by Harvard Health in 1999 show that a few laps on your treadmill could be enough to demolish depression.

How does running help depression?

Research suggests that exercise helps to combat depression by releasing feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as endorphins. The more endorphins that come from physical exercise, the more positive you will feel, as these chemicals are ideal for encouraging happiness and reducing feelings of pain.

After some training, runners can even benefit from an experience known as “Runner’s High” – a euphoric feeling that often leaves people feeling both energized and peaceful.

woman tying running shoe laces, running and depression, by healthista.com

The more endorphins that come from physical exercise, the more positive you will feel, as these chemicals are ideal for encouraging happiness and reducing feelings of pain.

Of course, it’s not just the chemicals that contribute to fighting back against depression. People who suffer from mood-related problems can find that running helps them in a variety of different ways – from improving their self- esteem, to battling feelings of isolation that can act as fuel to mental illness. The more you run, the more amazing your body will look too – and as a result, you will start to feel more confident in yourself, leading to an improved outlook overall.

Getting started

One primary benefit of getting into the running craze is that it can be a source of social interaction, allowing you to avoid isolation. The chances are, however, that you’ll need to start slowly with this aspect, as most people feel more comfortable starting their exercises at home, and branching out once their confidence has started to improve.

A great solution is to begin by hiring your own treadmill, to be set up within your home, and used whenever it’s convenient for you. If you’d like to hire a treadmill in the UK, click here to find out more, or

if you’re looking for treadmill hire in Ireland, then click here. Once your self-esteem has begun to develop, you may feel more confident running in public, or simply venturing outside to exchange a friendly smile with the neighbours.

treadmil hire, running and depression, by healthista.com

begin by hiring your very own treadmill, to be set up within your home, and used whenever it is convenient for you.

Some other psychological benefits of running may include an Increased body temperature, for a warm and calming effect, the opportunity to focus on something that takes your mind away from regular daily stresses and worries and developing healthy coping methods. The latter means the more you do something positive to manage depression instead of say isolate yourself, eat or use alcohol or drugs the more you develop the use of exercise as a healthy coping strategy. Running could after all, give you a much better alternative to dwelling on negative feelings.

MORE: 

Fitspiration: Jenni Falconer – we chat to the presenter about running, fitness and food

6 tips for your running technique 

Beginner’s guide to running

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