Ask anybody who is a regular runner why they run, and they are likely to tell you that running improves their lives and makes them happier.
Actually, there is a lot of similarity between running and life.It might sound strange that running can actually make you happier! But it gives us a unique opportunity to view the world with a different perspective. I am going to discuss 5 ways as to why Running makes me "Happy".
1) Momentum!
Just imagine! When you wake up in the morning, your head is clear and not poisoned by the complications of the modern life, no phone calls, no outlook mailbox and pressures of the work place activity traps. It is just you and the track ahead of you. Life in the "Rawest" form! You get the stone rolling and gain momentum when most of the neighborhood is waking up. You are one step ahead of everybody and this momentum will help in pushing you from one accomplishment to another.
2) Blueprinting!
Everything is created twice: FIRST in your mind, then in your reality. Set targets before running. People are much happier when they are working towards a goal, whether they actually achieve it or not. The act of setting a goal and actively working towards it is what seems to trigger happiness. Reaching the goal, of course, is wonderful, but it is the journey towards the goal that leads to the most happiness. Running is a great time for setting targets for the day. You are calm and relaxed. There is no better time to plan your day.
3) Perspective, be grounded!
Everything is beautiful. Life is beautiful too! It is a matter of perspective. You may be upset for 'N' number of reasons. Maybe you had a rough day at work, maybe you had a fight with your loved one, maybe your smartphone broke. But my point is you are luckier. Luckier than the kid who is knocking on the car wind shield begging for money, luckier than the family who are taking shelter at slums. It is always easy to forget how much we have and how lucky we are. You will never be happy in your life if you cannot appreciate the life you have. There will always be an empty space which you even do not even know! And you will be racing your entire life to fill the void.
Take a minute and think of all the blessings you have. Be grateful.
4) Never back down!
Keep pushing the limits. Limits are set by the mind. The human body is capable of doing remarkable things. Its all in the mind. When you go for a jog at the park and look at the runners, you see one thing in common! These people are constantly pushing themselves to be better. Run along with them. It will remind you that however hard you try, there is always someone working harder. There is always a higher benchmark. You can always work a little bit harder.
5) Reflection
Running gets you into better physical shape, which, in turn, makes you feel stronger and you are able to handle challenges that come your way in a better manner. Being in better shape changes you not only physically, but also mentally. It makes you feel more empowered. You will feel like you are a "go-getter".
Running Gives me a "Kick!"
" Runner's High" as somebody calls it, is not something that is used for luring people to exercise. It is an actual phenomenon. Physical exercise is known to release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins act as a natural "drug" that make a person more energetic, more awake and, yes, happier. These endorphins can kick in during run, creating a neurological euphoria for the runner. If you want a hard science perspective, follow the below link from a US govt medical website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6091217
