1. Clears your head

When you run, all your problems seem to drift away. You put a good playlist on and set your speed that you want to monitor but other than that, you have nothing to worry about. You might repeat a mantra to yourself to make sure you stay absentminded from all of your stresses. It oftentimes helps to think about running off your problems, one step at a time. Especially as students in college, running is a good way to take a step back from studying for midterms or writing that ten page research paper due the next day. Stress is a major issue and can actually cause a lot of health and mood problems and may lower appetite and sleep quality.

2. Boosts your self-confidence

According to LiveStrong, “Regular exercise, with an emphasis on aerobic exercise, can have a positive effect on self-esteem -- especially for those who suffer from low self-esteem -- as fitness and appearance improve.” Working out can help improve your self-image as you see the results. Many studies have proven the release of hormones caused by running. When you run, endorphins are released and attach themselves to the parts of the brain that are associated with emotions, especially the limbic and prefrontal areas. These areas are associated with the emotions when in love… so love yourself! The sense of accomplishment after finishing a workout is just as crucial to boosting your self esteem as the actual physiological side of it. Knowing that you accomplished what you set out to do (or at least attempted to) is such a positive reminder that you are capable of achieving anything that you dedicate yourself to.

3. Lengthens your life span

It has been proven that running, even just five minutes a day, can increase your lifespan amazingly. Taking a little time out of your day to focus on a healthy and fun activity can prove to be more than just beneficial in the moment. According to a study conducted by The Cooper Industry, “In concrete terms, an hour of running statistically lengthens life expectancy by seven hours,” (An Hour of Running May Add Seven Hours To Your Life, The New York Times). You will be thanking yourself later!

4. Keeps You Healthy

Running can help lower your risk of breast cancer and the risk of a stroke. Running is suggested for those who have diabetes, high blood pressure, and is proven to reduce the risk of a heart attack. However, even if you aren’t prone to these diseases, running can still support that you won’t get them. The chance of a heart attack is reduced due to the fact that arteries retain their elasticity and strengthens the heart. Running is one of the best ways to lose weight or maintain a current weight because it is one of the most effective ways at burning off extra calories. Running can raise your levels of good cholesterol while also strengthening lung function. Running can also boost your immune system, which is crucial as a student living so closely to others. (Just don't run into anyone like this runner here!)

5. Get to explore different areas and nature

Treadmills and indoor tracks benefit you nearly the same way as running outside, but being able to breath the fresh outdoor air and take in the scenery of wherever you are, with having nothing else to focus on, can be extremely liberating. It’s always a new and different experience when running outside, because the outdoors are ever-changing. Furthermore, if you decide to take a different route each time, the run will feel brand new and exciting which will motivate you to keep going. I love to drive to different areas around where I live, in order to find new places to run. However, since I currently live in the city of Chicago, I enjoy running to Lake Michigan and around the different buildings. It’s such a beautiful city and I feel I am able to embrace it best by enjoying it through a run. I have no other prerogatives when running besides to take time out for myself during a life of chaos.