Twenty-five per cent of adults in England exercise for under 30 minutes per week—considerably less than the 150 minutes recommended by the NHS. As a result, 58 per cent of women and 68 per cent of men in England are considered overweight or obese.
Thankfully, according to a new study, running can offset the ill effects of obesity and prolong your life for an average of three years. If this doesn’t convince you enough, perhaps the recent surge in warm weather will get you off your feet. Here’s four reasons why lacing up your trainers and hitting the pavement can help you live a healthier, happier life.
1. Your body becomes more efficient. Running trains your heart to transport oxygen and remove waste more efficiently. This, in turn, reduces your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and obesity.
2. You become more environmentally friendly. Running outdoors instead of using indoor exercise equipment reduces your environmental impact. Plus, running on hills works muscle groups, such as quadriceps and hamstrings, better than indoor equipment.
3. Running can improve happiness. Running allows your body to release endorphins, which help you feel motivated, alert and less tense. The effects of endorphins are most commonly felt with a regular exercise regime.
4. Running complements other fitness routines. Combining the benefits of running with another activity, such as meditation, can improve your overall well-being. According to researchers at Rutgers University in the United States, 30 minutes of meditation followed by 30 minutes of running can diminish depression.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice.
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