The mental health benefits of running

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. 

And we’re off…the launch of Why Run?

Oh my God, I can’t believe I am FINALLY launching my Why Run? podcast. To say it has been a difficult birth, wouldn’t be strictly true. But it’s certainly been a very long labour (of love) indeed.

It’s been quite a journey for me as with extremely limited broadcast experience and a complete lack of technical know-how, it has taken me quite a while to get to this point. (Thank you YouTube.) Add to this, the need to carry on with my day job, a global pandemic and a few other things requiring my attention.

One of the best things about the planning and preparation taking so long, is that it’s been the most amazing motivator to keep running. When I go for a run, I always try and think about anything other than how far I’ve got to go. Having Why Run? on my mind has been a great motivator for two reasons. Firstly, every run provides new source material for what I’d like to talk about. And secondly, I can hardly give up running, if I’m trying to launch a podcast on its amazing benefits!

Whatever exercise/activity/pastime we do, it always requires motivation to keep going after that initial flurry of enthusiasm. That source of inspiration, that ‘you want to do this’ or ‘you must do this’ voice, is different in each of us. And that’s what fascinates me - and made me want to do Why Run?

Each of my guests on the show has taken up or continued running for a different reason. In the first series, I talk to Sarah who runs to help keep her mind clear and prevent her drinking. I talk to Dan, who has experienced severe depression in the past and finds the training for challenge events a huge source of motivation and mood lifter. And Coco who faced extreme difficulties after leaving an abusive relationship and used running to provide some sense of control and self-worth when she needed it most. And that’s just for starters.

For my friends and family who have known me for a long time, I’m sure there are a few raised eyebrows or muffled sniggers when I now describe myself as a runner. I was always the party girl and any form of sport for most of my life has been a complete turn-off.

As a child, my idea of living hell was primary school sports day and my only accolade from these occasions was coming second in the sack race…once! Competitive sports were the worst of times for me and, like many teenagers, I placed the furthest distance possible between myself and the PE teachers when I got to secondary school. 

When I was 19, my then-boyfriend bought me a pair of running shoes for my birthday. Looking back now, it was a bit weird, as at the time I smoked 20 a day and spent many of my evenings in the pub. But he, being a runner, obviously had my best interests at heart and I can still picture the shoes today. Bright blue Nikes with a yellow tick. At the time, I did my best to impress him and went on a single jog of around three miles without any training that just about half killed me. No great surprise then that it left me feeling achy and miserable and I’m sure my running shoes were only ever worn to the shops after this mad burst of effort.

Following the Couch to 5k three years ago, was definitely a breakthrough moment for me. Its gradual build-up and sense of achievement week-by-week, bowled me over. I know this sounds incredibly naive to all of you out there who have always enjoyed sport or a challenge, but it was new to me. (I’m well-known for being rather slow and stubborn when it’s come to heeding good advice.) And I’m sure if it has taken me this long to find well-being and fulfilment through exercise, then I’m not alone.

I still have zero interest in competitive sport. Partly because I’m never going to win anything at my age and my speed; but more importantly, because I actually find measuring distances travelled, calories burned, average speed per km…and so on….all a complete turn-off. I appreciate not everyone agrees, but that’s just me. Also there are already a thousand sites and podcasts dedicated to helping you improve your personal best.

I am so excited about launching the Why Run? podcast series. This really is happening. Thanks to my family and friends who, over the last year, have had to tolerate lots of conversations about the launch of Why Run? and have been incredibly generous in providing puppy-like praise and affirmation along the way to help keep me on track.

And thank you most of all to my guests, who have been so generous in sharing their personal experiences for this first series, without really having a clue as to what they were signing up to. Chatting to my guests is my favourite part of this whole podcast-thing and I know you will love hearing their wonderful, open, enlightening and life-affirming interviews.

We’re on the starting line. It’s time to launch our first challenge. So let’s get on our marks.