Why Donning on Your Running Shoes is As Good As Visiting the Shrink

Is your boss driving you nuts?

Are the customers causing your stress levels to sky rocket?

Do you feel overwhelmed by the demands life places on you?

Are you contemplating visiting the shrink?

You could see the shrink, or you could simply go for a run.

Most people take up running in order to lose weight.

Yes, it works. Running daily, with a sensible diet can help you shed the pounds. After all, you burn more calories running than you might cycling or swimming or engaging in most sports.

On top of that, running is a very convenient sport. All you need is a good pair of running shoes.

One reason why many people continue running is not so much for weight control as for stress control and for better mental health.

Let's start with stress control.

Back in the days where people lived in caves, our ancestors' reaction to stress - the flight or fight response, kept them alive.

Think about it. When you live in a cave and have to hunt for food, what kind of stress do you have?

Running into a cave lion?
The adenaline pumping in your veins ready you to run for your life.

The other predators trying to steal away the meat you are drying for future meals?
The stress reaction, with adrenaline boosting your strength help you fight them off so that you get to keep your food.

Hunting for food?
The thrill of the hunt is a positive form of stress, which again, gets adrenaline levels high so you have more speed and strength to hunt down your prey.

Fast forward to these modern times.
We are exposed to low level stresses most of the time.

Late for work.
Caught in the traffic jam.
Long queue to get your breakfast.
Unhappy customer causing problems for you.
Nasty bosses yelling at you.

How does the flight or fight response work here?
You can't punch your boss. Nor can you run away from the customer.
You just have to grin and bear it.
The natural outlet for these pent up stresses just won't work. Or would it?

You can always run. Not there and then, but later, when time permits.
Running is a natural release for stress.
At the end of the day, you can go for an evening jog and sweat it out, and release the stress that has been building up all day long.

Running also helps with some stress related problems.

People with chronic stress levels all the time are at a higher risk of burn out, high blood pressure and irritability or depression.

Runners tend to have lower blood pressure. Running boosts the mood because of the endorphins released during the run.

Running gives you reprieve from perpetual stress that can otherwise lead to burn out.

When problems crop up, or when you feel overwhelmed, a long run takes you away from the clutter in your life and lets you think in peace.

Running is therapeutic. It helps you sort out your life without spending money on hourly rates on the shrink's couch.There are times when seeking help from a shrink is necessary, but for most of the stresses of daily life, running helps you cope pretty well.