Running and Mental Health

[Shakywakey]

Really interesting article on the BBC website on the benefits of running to mental health. Worth a read if you have got a spare 5 minutes

World Mental Health Day: 'How running has helped me' bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-4...

[Berksrover Graduate]

Not had chance to read this yet, but it doesn't surprise me, I definitely felt my mental resilience improve as I went through the C25K programme

[emily-m Graduate]

It's a good article, running seems to be really positive for a lot of people.

One of the reasons I wanted to do this was because I had been through a prolonged period of acute anxiety where I hardly left the house and was left feeling really unfit and miserable. Certainly it's helped in that it's something I've found I can make myself do - just get dressed and get out of the door without thinking too much. But because I tend to compartmentalise (which in some circumstances can be good!) I need to see whether I can now apply that to other aspects of my life. (The jury's still out on that one!) Feeling fitter, though, and having something I can focus on and achieve at have both been good for me. I'm amazed that I can now run for 30 minutes or so. It's astonishing.

My one doubt about running, beyond all the positives, is that it does play to my tendency to be on my own too much. But hopefully if I graduate this week I'm going to challenge that by going to park run (and maybe volunteering, too), which was one of the things which inspired me when I started. 😎

Contrary to the stereotype of women finding it easy/ier to talk about this stuff, I find it really hard. It's good to know that there are people out there with similar experiences.

[Shakywakey Graduate in reply to emily-m]

Thanks for sharing your story- it’s very powerful. You are doing fantastically well and it’s great to see the impact it has on you. And it sounds like you are doing all the right things to turn it into something where you feel less isolated 👏👏

[emily-m Graduate in reply to Shakywakey]

Thank you. 😊

[Berksrover Graduate in reply to emily-m]

You may find it more difficult to talk, but your story is very eloquent and I am glad you are getting positives from your running journey

[emily-m Graduate in reply to Berksrover]

Thanks. 😊

[ItstheMarchHare Graduate]

A great article, thank you for the link 😊

[Hidden]

Thanks for the link Shaky, I’ll have a read... 👍

[Marcia-H Graduate]

All great stories!! I think it is amazing what you get out of running, physical and the rest. It really does put your head in the right space.

Love the idea of run and talk!!! And love what the last guy said that if he can accomplish this, he can accomplish other things too-so true 👏

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Brilliant story Shakeywakey!! I do think running is so good for releasing those stresses and tensions that take it’s toll on us in many ways. Thanks for sharing!! 😍❤️

[Mrun1 Graduate]

I started C25K to try and help with my anxiety as I've heard it works wonders for others.

My anxiety is normally over my health.

After W1R1 I lay in bed and started to worry that my heart wasn't used to exercise and that I might be doing more damage than good. It's silly, I know. Research proves than running in moderation is good for us. But I'm starting to think I should have a full health/heart check up before continuing.

Did anyone else have a check up before starting? Or am I just being way over dramatic and letting my anxiety win?...