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The amazing benefits running has for your body and brain

Kevin Loria   

The amazing benefits running has for your body and brain

run running runner jogging jog race marathon

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  • Running can significantly improve physical and mental health.
  • As a form of aerobic exercise, running can reduce stress, improve heart health, and even help alleviate symptoms of depression.
  • Some researchers think running may be so good for us because it's something we evolved to do.


People are built to run - literally.

Many experts think that human bodies are shaped the way that they are because we evolved to be extremely effective endurance runners. The shapes of our hips and feet, the length of our legs, our shock-absorbing spinal discs, and our skin (and ability to sweat) make it possible for us to run mile after mile.

So it's perhaps no surprise that running is strongly associated with a number of benefits for our bodies and brains.

Many experts consider exercise to be the closest thing to a miracle drug in existence. As a form of cardio exercise that's easily accessible, running is one of the easiest ways to get some of the most important benefits of exercise.

Since it improves aerobic fitness, running is a great way to help improve cardiovascular health. Plus, it burns calories and can build strength, among other things. There's also a long list of psychological benefits runners can get from their sport.

Getting used to running if you haven't done it in a while - or ever - can be brutal.

But once your body and mind start to acclimate, running can be blissful and provide a sense of freedom.

These are some of the physical and mental health benefits of running.

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