Here’s Why Running In The Morning Is Good For Your Mental Health
Set your alarm and get your running shoes at the ready… Taking some time away from your work and going for a run has incredible health benefits from improved self-esteem through to better sleep. But the benefits of running in the morning can be even greater than you think. Here’s why.,.
1. Brain Boosting Effects
Running isn’t just good for your physical health. Studies show that exercise can increase concentration and mental acuity for up to 10 hours post workout. With deadlines or exams approaching, a short run everyday can significantly help you focus on your procrastination.
2. Morning Workouts Feel Better
Running Blogger Amanda Brooks believes working out at the same time each day signals your body to prepare in advance for exercise – improving performance. The muscles used during your workout will begin to wake up while you are sleeping, burning calories, making it easier to get up and even preventing injury!
3. Better Air Quality
The European Commission is swinging a stick at the UK’s air pollution levels and rightly so. Each year tens of thousands of people in the UK die early due to air pollution which is linked to asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. Huffing and puffing on the day’s traffic and industrial guff’s is no good for us, and as air pollution levels are at their lowest in the morning, save your health and run in the fresh morning air.
4. Halt Depression
Studies show that aerobic exercise can be as effective as anti-depressants in treating mild to moderate depression. Not only this but the side-effects of running are improved health and weight opposed to those felt through anti-depressants. The UK, Australia and the Netherlands official guidelines all recommend exercise as a first-line treatment for depression so if your mental health is suffering, as difficult as it can be, get outside and run just a short distance. It’s amazing what a difference it can make to your day.
5. Get your Zzz’s In
Research show’s working out in the morning can help you sleep better at night as a result of improved regulation of hormones throughout the day. Adrenaline is at it’s highest in the morning and is released during exercise – lose that evening buzz and get better sleep after your workout. This definitely one of the great benefits of running in the morning!
6. Consistency = Better Results
Building consistency with your workout is KEY when it comes to getting results. How many times have you had a long day and instead of going for your workout – had a drink or treated yourself to Netflix instead? Life stresses can get in the way of a workout, even tho we know it will help, so get it out the way early!
7. Appetite Control
Morning runners tend to feel less hungry throughout the day according to running blogger Amanda Brooks. Studies have indicated that appetite reduction may be a direct result of the workout itself but also a symptom of the mental shift of starting the day in a healthy way. Starting your routine in a healthy way encourages individuals to keep it up for the rest of the day – so get up and get out.
8. Hangover Cure
Running the morning after the night before is not technically going to cure your hangover – but the endorphins released from exercise will certainly make you feel better. Coupled this with the psychological effect of starting the day in a healthy way – running away from the night before may be the start you need. Come on, you’d only be panting, sweating and mentally screaming ‘…WHHHYYYYY?’ in the cue for McDonalds anyway. (For more hangover cures that actually work, check out this article)
