Running is a great way to gain energy, enjoy the outdoors, shed some unwanted pounds, and rejuvenate yourself to a healthier being. Be sure to consult your physician before exercising, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- Run to De-Stress: Having a bad day at work, go for a run and feel better afterwards for it. Running 3 to 4 times per week not only burns off anxiety, studies also credit hitting the pavement with reduced high blood pressure risk and lowering existing hypertension rates quite quickly and safely. Just be sure to consult with your doctor before taking up running.
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Strengthen Bones and Joints
While a mix of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training is ideal for building strong joints and bones, running on its own does provide the impact needed for stronger bone and joint health.
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Burn Baby, Burn
Toning up for the swimsuit season, running is a great way to shed a few excess pounds—especially when you consider that, on average, running burns 750 to 800 calories per hour (based on a 160-pound individual).
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Run Anytime, Anywhere
Running is an exercise that you can do anytime, anywhere the mood strikes! Running is probably one of the most convenient activities available. You can run outside (weather permitting), on vacation (no extra gear required), and even indoors (on the treadmill) at any hour of the day.
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Prevent Illnesses and Diseases
An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but so does a daily run! Research from the American Cancer Society found that doing regular cardiovascular exercise (i.e., running and walking) can help reduce risk of certain cancers (i.e., colon cancer and breast cancer) by approximately 30-percent.
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Inexpensive Exercise
Running—it’s one of the most inexpensive forms of exercise around.
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Improves Memory
Sudoku is a great way to work out your brain for memory loss, however running may be just as beneficial, according to studies from the Mayo Clinic, which links regular cardio exercise to reducing memory loss and guarding the brain against Alzheimer’s and dementia-related conditions.
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Running is a Perfect Social Exercise
Why not exchange the odor cancer stick social gathering for a perfect running social exercise instead? Running is a great way to get a workout and catch up with your buddies at the same time. And if you’re in search of running friends, chances are there’s a local running group taking new members in your area.
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Eliminate Toxins
When you run, you sweat, and even though it may not be pleasant post-run, working up a sweat literally flushes the body, skin, and pores of harmful toxins—the bad stuff that cause acne and other blemishes.
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Run to Live Longer
If you plan to live to the ripe old age of triple digits, running just might be your secret! In fact, Stanford University studies show that those who remain active longer actually far outlive sedentary individuals.