A Run A Day Can Keep The Anxiety Away
Start writing a post
Fitness

A Run A Day Can Keep The Anxiety Away

Going for a run a day helps ease anxiety.

354
A Run A Day Can Keep The Anxiety Away
Sarah Cucco

Have you ever wondered why you feel so good after a workout? Maybe it boils down to the sense of accomplishment after having sat in a class or work desk all day, or maybe it is because exercise helps activate specific cortexes of the brain.

Running is proven to help you relax in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain in charge of attention and focus, while the hippocampus works to help with learning and memory. Physical activity not only stimulates these two parts of the brain but prompts the body to release endorphins which help ease anxious feelings.

Not only does running stimulate the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus and release serotonin, but it also blocks pain signals, producing an influx of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate social behavior, mood, sleep, and appetite.

Therefore, running, especially outside where you can also receive some eco-therapy, is great for easing anxiety. While it can definitely be hard to get up and run the first couple of days, after a couple the benefits start flowing in. Throughout the day you may feel more energy, less anxiety, and happier due to the release of serotonin.

A run a day does not "scare" the anxiety away for everyone, but it is a great outdoor and indoor activity to get active and working. And if you run socially, it can help lessen anxiety and increase social time on busy weeks.

Try running next time you have a big test coming up or need to sit down a study for a couple of hours. This self-competitive sport is a godsend to any busybody who finds going to the gym too time consuming but wants all of the benefits of working out.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

7 Tips For Traveling

Don't miss any of these ideas to make your trip complete!

487
7 Tips For Traveling

Whether it's a day trip, an out-of-state journey, or an experience leaving the country, here are some tried and true traveling tips.

Before any trip, we all think about what to pack and what to bring. We may have a strict itinerary, or we may have looser guidelines for what to do when. But we should also consider the following - make them goals:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Writer of the Month: Hunter Johnstone

As an aspiring author, Hunter knew writing for Odyssey would be a great fit for her.

798
Writer of the Month: Hunter Johnstone

Response writers are what make the world go round at Odyssey! Using our response button feature, they carry on our mission of sparking positive, productive conversations in a polarized world.

Keep Reading... Show less
Allison Fishman

1. Why is Wilson Hall so complicated to navigate? Even as a senior, I still get lost in Wilson. As a freshman, I was warned about the unnecessary complexity of the building, was laughed at by upperclassman for my confused looks on the first day of school and walked and rewalked the whole hall before finding my classroom. #annoying.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Blair Waldorf For governor of new york

What life would be like if the people were led by Queen B.

2161
Blair Waldorf For governor of new york

Cynthia Nixon, a.k.a Miranda from Sex and the City, is running for governor of New York. I think that this would be the best decision that has been made in a while solely based off of the fact that almost no one knows New York like the cast of Sex and the City. This got me thinking about who else would be a good candidate to take over the city of dreams. Then I realized that Blair Waldorf, if she were a real person, would be my number one choice for governor. Here are five reasons why Queen B would be an excellent ruler.

Keep Reading... Show less
Student Life

Why Littles Rock

Who doesn't want to be an awesome big?

1734

We see ourselves getting further into the semester.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments