1. It’s a top calorie burning exercise
Like it or not, running makes for a really great cardio workout. Running is an incredibly effective and efficient form of exercise for burning calories. The best way to burn more calories while running is to mix and match short, medium, and long intervals to keep your body working harder and burning more energy.
2. Expensive equipment isn’t required
Running can be done anywhere, anytime. There is no need for expensive gym memberships or equipment for you to enjoy a good run. In fact, our favourite runs are always done outdoors, where we can discover new running routes and sceneries around Singapore.
Read: 5 Singapore Running Routes With Breathtaking Views
3. Solo runs provide time for self discovery
Running alone can allow you to hit the mute button on the world and take full advantage of exercise’s stress-busting benefits. Running alone gives you the space and time to think and concentrate or completely clear your mind and zone out. Sometimes, we need running to give ourselves this extra space to reflect or step away from the demands of our everyday lives.
4. It lifts your mood
Running releases happy hormones called endorphins. It is our very own natural happy drug. Our body produces them when we push ourselves hard enough in a run, but not at max effort, in response to physical discomfort. It makes our runs feel easy, exhilarating, even euphoric. Are you always feeling high after a good run? That’s a great feeling and now you know what’s the cause for it!
5. It boosts creativity
Running improves our brain power by encouraging the growth of grey matter directly, which is linked to our memory. The aerobic nature of running also boosts our brain with oxygen, which improves our cognitive skills. This means that running keeps our brain strong, and this makes us more creative, more efficient, and better in the things we do.
6. It provides a chance to go outside and enjoy nature
What better way to enjoy our surroundings than actually taking the step out to be closer to nature itself? Running allows us to explore nature more intimately. When we run through a park, we can enjoy the fresh air, feel the cool breeze and listen to the peaceful sounds of nature. If you love running in nature, do try trail running or join some trail races to enjoy the full experience!
7. It reduces stress
If you lead a hectic and stressful life, running can be your best friend. Psychologically, running gives you a set amount of time to be alone with your thoughts. If you’re able to use this to your advantage, you can use that time to get your brain around an issue at the office or the problem with your significant other.
In studies, regular runners generally say they live a happier, more stress-free life than their housebound counterparts. Aside from simply being happier because you’re in better shape and feeling good, endorphins also play a big role in these results.
8. It fights depression and anxiety
As mentioned earlier, endorphins trigger a positive feeling in our bodies. The euphoric feeling that follows a run or workout, is known as a “runner’s high,” and can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life. Regular exercise has also been proven to ward off anxiety and feelings of depression.
9. It lengthens your lifespan
Running gives us stronger lungs and improves blood pressure and blood sugar sensitivity. This means that running can give us better cardiorespiratory fitness, which translates to a longer lifespan for us. Furthermore, light or moderate running boosts our body’s natural immune system by circulating protective cells through the body faster, to attack and eliminate bacteria, viruses and fungi.
10. It gives you strength
Running can let us feel self-empowerment because it let us have control of our own body. When we overcome the pains and sufferings in running, we feel psychologically stronger to take on other problems in our life too. Running also helps to give us realistic personal goals to work towards to.
