6 Reasons Why Running Is Good For Your Health

Consistency is the key to achieving success be it with respect to physical fitness and health or some other aspect in life. How to be consistent with physical exercise? Starting with simple activities like walking and running benefits when it comes to being regular than complex workout routines.

In today’s busy lifestyle, it becomes increasingly difficult to follow an entire workout schedule. Doing intense workout for two hours one day, only to be followed by zero physical activity the next few days, does nothing but leaves you with sore muscles. Taking 15 minutes out from our schedules to go for a run would not only ensure physical fitness but also improve mental health.

# Increase in Cardiac Output

Running regularly tends to increase cardiac output. Notably, the cardiac output in untrained individuals can reach around 14-20 litre per minute.

# Increased Blood Flow

In response to the need for supplying muscles with more oxygen while running, the body increases its number of capillaries and the existing capillaries open wider than usual. The blood redistribution becomes more efficient and effective. As a result, there is an increased blood circulation in the body. This increases the number of white blood cells and antibodies in the body which are essential for keeping diseases at bay, thereby enhancing immunity.

# Helps Reduce the Risk of Heart Diseases

The benefits of running daily include a gradual reduction of stress-related hormones from circulating in the bloodstream. This decreases inflammation in the blood vessels and lowers the risk of developing plaque that may lead to heart diseases.

# Increases Lung Capacity

Running regularly activates the unused alveoli of lungs as it is a vigorous exercise and requires a lot of oxygen for the body. This contributes to an increased capacity and efficiency of lungs, which is one of the major running benefits.

# Increased Breathing Rate

In an inactive individual, the speed of inhalation and exhalation is less. That is why the mucociliary clearance capacity of the lungs and pulmonary functions reduce in the long run. In an active individual, since there’s a need for more oxygen, the breathing rate increases automatically.

This helps in not only getting rid of the waste products from the lungs but also pushes bacteria and other harmful microorganisms out of the airway. This reduces the chances of falling sick as the pathogens get eliminated from the body.

# Controls Unhealthy Fat

A lot of fitness enthusiasts rely upon running for weight loss. Regular running helps burn the extra calories deposited in the form of fat. This controls the extra fat in the body and helps maintain a healthy body weight. One of the best running benefits is that the metabolic rate of the body gets increased. A healthy body weight also helps prevent several diseases.