Mental health!

[SamanthaClare92]

I have Obsessive compulsive disorder & anxiety, has running helped with anyone’s mental health? Do you find your much happier?xx

[Lillybeth30mins Graduate]

Without a doubt! It can be called the 'runners high' but I think any exercise that leaves you feeling good about/proud of yourself will have a positive impact on your mental health - I know it certainly does mine Lx

[Warb81 Graduate]

I don't have any diagnosed anxieties, but man, I can tell you, going for a run really takes the weight off. I'm in a role at work where I'm being constantly required to provide support to a really large team of people, I spend all day answering questions. Then I get home and my three kids are all like "daddy? daddy? daddy!!!!". That 30 minutes I get to myself, where I can just crank up my music and turn my brain off. Its like meditation for me. I've found myself much more relaxed and chilled out, especially the day after a run - I feel very accomplished and relaxed (although it doesn't really help with my focus issues).

What I would say, is give it a try. It may not be a golden bullet, but it may help with other things. For example, I've heard improving your sleep can help reducing anxiety, and there's nothing like wearing yourself out to improve your sleep.

Put it this way, there are very few drawbacks to becoming fitter and healthier, so give it a go!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

I have anxiety. In the distant past I had severe depression. No experience of OCD.

I’ve found I get a massive mood lift from running and a day’s worth of very deep calm afterwards.

I’ve also recognised how the mental gremlins hold me back and make me take the “safe” or “low risk” path whenever possible. Running has given me a load of personal confidence at a time when it was rock bottom.

Much of the programme is building up to a point where you don’t think you are going to be able to do a particular run (and that run is different for many people, probably based on how fit you are at the start).

Pushing through that doubt and ignoring the gremlins telling you to stop is a huge milestone, the key to success on the programme, and carries over to so many other things away from running.

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Ohhhh Samantha, the happy from running is full on and full up! I find it comes from going out there, sometimes with doubts and then discovering that OMG!, you can do it!

Everyone has their own unique experiences and benefits, good days, not great days, but we are on here because we love to run and even though it’s sometimes a bit challenging, we love it more than sitting on the couch. I set out to make it something fun too and it certainly has been! Im still learning from everyone on the forum. Everyone is really supportive and will help you as much as needed. Enjoy!! 😁😁❤️

[Starpumpkin Graduate]

I have suffered from OCD and anxiety too since childhood on and off, and found that exercise, even if it's just going for a walk in nature really helps me just to get some headspace. Definitely gives me a boost!!! Xx

[jeffbird Graduate]

I really agree with what Jay said, I've found that a large part of running has been the confidence boost in beating the gremlins when they tell you to stop or that you can't do it. I also find that I feel more positive afterwards and now that I'm doing the longer runs it seems to give my brain a chance to reset and cast aside niggling worries. I believe that there is lots of evidence for the mental health benefits of running, but that aside we're all different and I don't have any experience of OCD. I hope that it gives you a boost

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you click on the Polls heading above, you will find a poll done on this site which showed that over 90% of respondents experienced mental health benefits from running.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[F4TMAN]

I have no diagnosed conditions either but running is helping me in a number of ways, both physical and psychological.

I'm sleeping better, I have more energy and greater motivation, increased self-confidence and just generally feeling healthier, fitter and stronger.

I'm also making uncharacteristically healthy choices with food and drink. I'm dieting too, have been for a while, but I don't crave junk food like I did before I started running, I'd honestly rather have a banana or some nuts than chocolate or crisps!

[KN25 Graduate]

For me it’s just the chance for some alone time to switch off from work and all the stresses of life. I listen to my favourite tunes and especially in this lovely weather just being outside is great. The sense of achievement when you complete each run and now I even find myself looking forward to the next run even though they are getting harder and harder!!

[Hidden]

Hi! I started the programme because I know myself well and I could feel myself sliding into depression. It did the trick! Running has a lot to recommend it. Hope it can help you too ❤️