Life is messy. It can be unfair. It can be lonely. It can be exhausting, frightening, worrying. At times, it can be downright overwhelming. We all need something in life to help us through when we’re feeling stressed or low. We all know too about how we can end up making ourselves worse by overindulging… whether its food, booze, weed, gambling, box sets or just not going out the house. 

As I’ve got older, I’ve realised there’s no one-fix way to feeling better at such times. Someone once described the best way forward as a paintbox of solutions and I love that image – taking a little bit of one colour, adding another, to find a good mix that day – something that works for me. This might be seeing a friend; getting out the house to  work in a café when I’m feeling stressed and to stop me picking food at home; asking for a hug; or going for a walk. There’s lots of little ways we can all help ourselves when we’re struggling. 

And one of the things that has helped me most consistently in recent years, is running. It’s now the brightest colour in my paintbox of self-care. 

 I started running three years ago following the NHS couchto5k app. My initial motivation was to improve my physical health after a cancer scare, but it’s definitely the mental health benefits that have kept me getting out there week-on-week. For me, life feels better after a run and judging by the number of people I see out jogging daily, doing Park Runs and attending the hundreds of running events up and down the country, I am not alone.   

 If you look up the mental health benefits of running, the list includes the following:

• the release of endorphins - the body’s natural anti-depressants. 

• the soothing and relaxing effect of its rhythmic and repetitive nature.  

• reducing stress – if you’re out on a run, it’s difficult to hold on to worrying thoughts for a long period as you get distracted.

• boosting confidence – most people who go running set themselves a goal. It doesn’t matter how modest it is, it’s just about finding something that’s right for you. And when you achieve it, life feels better. 

• and the list goes on…   

 On the first episode of Why Run?, launching next week, my guest Sarah, who is a recovering alcoholic, has made running a part of her life. ‘Just as I plan the night before what I’m going to eat, I plan when I’m going to go for a run. It’s one of the few things I do in life for me,’ she says.

 ‘You can set off in a bad mood and pound the streets and come back with a completely different mindset, probably every time.’

My guest Coco has always used running as her “go to” sport, but found it took on a new, more important significance after she left an abusive partner. 

 ‘I honestly don’t believe I’d be alive today if it wasn’t for running. It was such a good sport for me to do at that time,’ she explained. ‘After feeling the least free you possibly can, it gave me physical and mental freedom. We have a tendency to stay indoors when we’re depressed. Getting outside, getting some vitamin D and the visual change of scenery were so important for me. Seeing something other than my four walls, particularly after coronavirus, meant that after every run, I felt so good.’ 

 One of the things I love most about running is its simplicity. All you need is a pair of running shoes (and maybe a phone if you’re going to follow an app to get you started). No gym membership, no special equipment and, if you’re an outdoor runner like me, you’re out there under the sky feeling the sun, rain, wind, whatever, on your face and the air in your lungs. It makes me feel more feel more connected to the world.  When I go for a run, it’s just me and the great outdoors. 

 My guest Dan, who suffers from depression, got in to running after a rather drunken Christmas work event, where he signed up for a charity challenge event. And not just any event, but the London Marathon. He regretted it the morning after, but it opened a new door for him. Dan has now gone on to take part in numerous events, races and Tough Mudder challenges. Basically, if there’s a T-shirt and medal to be won, Dan will take part. ‘At my absolute worst, going for a run gave me a reason to get up and out of bed. That was key for me. My advice for anyone considering running is give it a go. Don’t over complicate it.’  

 I’ve got some fantastic guests lined up for you in the coming weeks. They’re all the more amazing because they’ve been so open about their struggles and sharing them on the show. It ain’t easy opening up about difficult experiences, but generally we feel better when we do. Mainly because it means we’re not alone. The more we can share, the more we can support each other. So welcome to the Why Run? podcast.  

 Happy listening.