5 Running Health Benefits

Curious about 5 running health benefits? Running is an exercise with numerous health benefits. A person who runs every day finds that he has improved overall health, coordination and is generally more well-adjusted than someone who does not run. Here are 5 health benefits for runners.

1. Lose weight. Running is a great way to drop pounds and get in shape. Just remember, you cannot just run once a week. You need to run three to four times a week if not every day to see the quickest results. A person can burn up to 100 calories per mile just jogging slowly. The faster you run, the more weight you can lose. An average person can lose five pounds a month by running five miles each day.
2. Improve your heart. Running will not only help you lose weight but will also improve your heart health by lowering your blood pressure and reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Running causes arteries to expand and contract, which keeps blood pressure low. A runner’s heart beats 36,000 fewer times each day than an idle person's.
3. Improve your coordination. Running on trails or uneven surfaces is quite difficult. As you master the terrain while running, you benefit from improved coordination that follows you into your everyday life. A person with improved coordination is less likely to injure himself during daily activities.
4. Fight old age. Running helps strengthen your bones, decreasing the effects of osteoporosis as you get older. It helps your body stay strong with age since running builds your stamina and endurance. The increased blood flow from running also makes your skin look healthier, and studies show that running delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. This is because running may boost new cell growth in the human brain.
5. Psychological benefits. There are a number of ways running benefits a person’s mind. Many psychiatrists suggest running as a remedy for clinical depression. The exercise is a proven way to reduce stress, giving you time to think and eliminate negativity. It builds confidence for the runner due to the weight loss and increased energy. It helps a runner decrease fatigue, helping him remain alert and improving memory and problem solving skills.