How running benefits me

When I first started running, I more often than not had to drag myself out of the house to get myself to go on a run. I never had any motivation and honestly slightly hated running at the start; I couldn't breathe, my legs hurt, and I wanted to stop within the first minute of starting. However, it didn't take long before I was seeing some benefits from dragging myself out on my runs. My breathing was becoming better, my legs were taking me farther and I didn't quite hate it just as much as I did in the beginning. My fitness levels were increasing, and I slowly but surely started to enjoy the process of getting myself out for a run more and more as time went on!

Apart from the physical benefits and the increased fitness levels, I have seen so many benefits from running that I would not have thought when I started, including an elevated sense of mood. For me, running clears my head majorly and I can always rely on a run to increase my mood on a bad day. Equally, running has proved to be a great stress relief for me throughout my time at university and I rely on it a lot for those busy periods when I am feeling stressed, overwhelmed and anxious.

Not only this, but I also always feel more accomplished after a run, and it helps me feel productive on the days I feel like I am in a bit of a slump. I always feel more relaxed after a run as well and love the feeling of having tired legs getting into bed at night, with my quality of sleep always improving on the days I have been out running.

I am no expert when it comes to running benefits, however I can wholeheartedly say that running has been one of the best sports I have taken up; both for my physical and mental health. I cannot imagine ever stopping and I have only become more obsessed with it as time has gone on.

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