When it comes to exercise, there’s a lot of choices that can be made. Gyms sell expensive memberships to people, raking in the cash while people exercise there. Some people prefer their own home set up, which can also get kind of expensive. One option that is among the simplest and easiest to do is to just go running. Running is one of the healthiest exercises you can possibly take part in. Runners gain a number of different health benefits just by making sure that they get out there and go. While not every part of the country has the ability to easily run outside all year long, most can enjoy running the majority of the year with some minimal gear. Just make sure you have truly proper fitting shoes and running apparel fit for the weather. This article is going to look at some of the benefits of running and hopefully encourage more people to get out and get running! 

1 - Reduces Stress

A lot of people in the United States suffer from persistent stress. Life has simply gotten very complicated over the years, and many people are paying the mental strain. Many studies have shown that running is a great way to help reduce this. From a medical standpoint, running can help to reduce the hormones that cause a person to feel greater stress. This helps people to feel properly relaxed. The other thing about running is it can help a person focus on just the run instead of all the outlying factors that a person may be dealing with. 

2 - Increase Bone Density

People are often told to avoid high impact exercises like running in favor of more low impact options. This is true for people with joint problems, but high impact running is actually a great way to help improve the body’s bones and make them stronger. Studies have shown that the stress placed upon a person’s bones makes the body use more calcium to make them stronger. In addition, running also increases some specific hormone production which increases the rate at which the body makes bones. This double benefit can help reduce the chance of broken bones or fractures. 

3 - Boost Heart Health

A person’s cardiovascular health is among the most important aspects of their body. A person who runs consistently will find that their heart becomes stronger. This allows them to pump more blood out to the rest of the body with each heartbeat. In addition, runners will find that their lungs are taking in more air during each breath. This has a cumulative and compound effect on your running ability. Being able to bring in more air and pump it more efficiently allows a person to run farther, faster, and without expending nearly as much effort. This is one of the biggest benefits to health that running will provide. 

4 - Increase Muscles

Like many exercises, running is great for building up muscles. Unlike specific weight lifting exercises, running tends to build longer less defined muscles, but certainly not lacking any strength. Unsurprisingly, it’s muscles located within the legs that benefit the most from running. A person who is interested in getting really nicely defined calves can make running a consistent part of their routine and benefit heavily. 

5 - Makes Nature More Obtainable

For many people, choosing to go on a run will allow people to get back to nature and feel comfortable and at ease. Running outside allows you to disconnect from the overly connected world that we now live in. Even people who live in an urban setting should be able to find some areas and parks where they can run and enjoy the greenery. Some fresh air and a little sunlight is always a nice change.