There are many different benefits for both running and jogging. You'll reap the benefits whether you plan on running a marathon, jogging a couple of miles every morning or simply adding it gently into your exercise regimen. When you feel tired, keep these benefits in mind for motivation.
Heart Health Benefits of Running and Jogging
Running is one of the best things that you can do to promote heart health. It's a fantastic aerobic exercise that can really get your heart pumping. It can prevent heart disease by increasing overall cardiovascular health. Additionally, it can increase HDL levels, which results in greater heart health.
Running or jogging consistently increases muscle mass. This can help burn more calories per hour even when sitting or relaxing. It also increases bone mass, which will be a long-term health benefit.
Jogging and running are also great things to help relieve stress. Some people have sworn that it helps tackle depression and helps those who are struggling with addiction issues, but insufficient studies have been done to prove the latter connections. It definitely produces a euphoric state for many runners that is called a "runner's high."
Running and Jogging Cosmetic Benefits
You'll probably soon be getting more compliments after running for several weeks as well. One's physique can change quite rapidly when on a running program if a healthy diet is also consumed. Muscles begin to get stronger, and fat cells are often used through running (any time that you use up more calories than are consumed, anyway). Eating healthily (oftentimes less) and exercising more are all it takes to lose weight. Since running burns a lot of calories, it can be a great assistant to absolutely any weight loss program. That's a huge benefit that can last a lifetime.
Last, yet certainly not least, a great cosmetic benefit of running is the fact that it can significantly and visibly slow the signs of aging. In some cases, it may even reverse them.
Life Benefits
The benefits of running and jogging don't end with greater health and a higher level of fitness. Running can also help to inspire confidence in people of all ages. As you see what can be accomplished with a will and determination, other challenges seem much more easier to take on. After observing how great it feels to struggling through that first mile to running several miles without being wiped out, it's easy to see how other things that seem difficult or even insurmountable can be faced straight on and won.
Running can also be a way to make new friends. Most cities have running clubs or groups that pair runners or organize into larger running groups. This is certainly safer than running alone, and it's moe fun. Friends can have healthy competitions, or co-runners can encourage one another to get out and run even when the weather isn't ideal or stop each another when one's desire to sleep in seems more important than jogging a mile or two.