4 surprising mental benefits to running

The physical benefits of running are tangible, and most people know that daily exercise can improve both the length and quality of life. However, fitness champions often don't mention that running also has dramatic benefits for mental well-being. With a few minutes of running each day, research shows stronger brain function in executive tasks, which include organisational skills, better memory and a happier overall state of mind.

• One of the most discouraging physical changes that takes place as we grow older is an overall reduction in brain tissue.
• This phenomenon leads to many of the issues that are common and even expected in the elderly, including absent-mindedness, issues with memory, and full dementia.
• However, according to a 2011 study by J. Carson Smith, PhD, the improved blood circulation that comes with running sends more oxygen and glucose to the brain tissues. As a result, instead of shrinking brain tissue, devoted runners can experience up to two per cent growth in brain volume.

• The skills collectively referred to as executive function, which include organisation, planning, and decision making, take place in the brain's frontal cortex.
• Exercise that gets the blood moving, particularly aerobic activity like running, has been shown to improve any executive functioning that occurs immediately afterwards.
• On a practical level, this means that planning a party, making tough decisions, and organising complex data will all be completed more effectively after a run.

• Anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications have become staples in today's medicine cabinets, as the rapid pace and high-stress of daily life continues to increase.
• These drugs work by improving serotonin and norepinephrine levels, collectively known as neurotransmitters, in the brain.
• Running has been shown to have the exact same effect on neurotransmitters, increasing the levels, and in some cases, for a longer period than standard pharmaceuticals.
• Reduced stress, a more positive outlook, and greater overall relaxation benefit the mind, while also improving physical health in subtle, interconnected ways.

• Finally, runners report dramatically improved confidence levels in a wide variety of situations.
• Whether it is the heady success of reaching a running goal or the boost that a healthier looking and feeling body brings, runners find they feel better about making social connections, they feel empowered in their work environment, and they notice reductions in anxiety when completing tasks like speaking in public, completing a job interview, and going on a first date.
• When taken together, many agree that the mental benefits realised with regular running are as valuable as the physical benefits.