RUNNING changed my mental health❣️

Everyone needs a hobby, habit, routine or SOMETHING that gives them that mental relief from the world. It should be something that is healthy and benefits your overall well-being. Luckily for me, I found running. Here are three reasons that running helps improve my mental health and how it may also help you 👇👇👇

🏃🏼‍♀️ Running forced me to go outside.

✔️There are SO many benefits to going outside! I automatically feel better and more energized from feeling the sun (vitamin C) and the fresh air. On top of that, it forces me to stop the endless scrolling on my phone as I start my run (or walk). I find music that interests me and that pumps me up to finish my run. I immediately focus on my body's movements and breathing, leaving the negative thoughts on the back burner.

🏃🏼‍♀️Running helped me to bond with my dog. ✔️Through running I have found my favorite workout buddy: my dog Chesney! My dog needs exercise just as much as I do so I started running with him to kill two birds with one stone. And he LOVED it! It was so much fun seeing him have such a great time running with me and of course all of the extra "pets" he got along the way. Again, having this positive distraction of watching him makes me feel immediate joy and takes my mind off of daily stress.

🏃🏼‍♀️Running became a stress relief at work.

✔️Being a personal trainer my job can get both physically and mentally exhausting. In the past, if I had a break between clients I would just sit in a chair for the entire hour and then would feel guilty later that I didn't do anything "productive". Once I started my running kick I realized I could go sneak on a treadmill and pump out at least 3 miles plus have time to shower in my hour break. Running at work gives me a mental recess from thinking about the rest of my day and gives me a break from socializing with clients and my coworkers. Sometimes you just need that physical space from other people to fully clear your head. I found that it has really given me more energy for those long days and makes me into a more positive person.

If running isn't for you, try starting with walking and see how your mental health improves with these three tricks💪🏻

#lemon8partner #mentalhealth #running #exercise #healthyhabits2023