Running helping anxiety, anyone else found this? I’d like to hear how it’s helped others. 🏃🏼‍♀️💆🏼‍♀️

[Runforthedress]

Hi I’ve suffered with Anxiety for years and IBS on and off for about 30 years. I’m finding that running is really helping my symptoms and I’m experiencing a feeling of freedom and afterwards a relaxed state - amazing! Still early days but has anyone else noticed this? What are you improved mental health states? I’d love to hear from others.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This poll of members healthunlocked.com/couchto5... shows that the overwhelming majority have experienced very positive mental health benefits from running.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Liono Graduate]

I am lucky enough not to have any specific conditions (except ankle instability 🙄) but running has increased my confidence enormously - manifesting itself in the strangest ways, like taking and posting my first ever selfie and having the courage to grow out my 90's over-plucked eyebrows! Sounds ridiculous and superficial now that I write it down but I'd wanted to do it for years and was worried people would laugh at me. I now look like a mad scientist but couldn't care less because I can run 5k (well, almost - only got to 4.9k so far!) 😂

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Liono]

Love this post 😊 (Any selfies with the new scientist eyebrows?). I know what you mean about it building confidence though, I’d have never thought I would go to a Parkrun alone and run amongst 283 strangers 👍🏻

[Liono Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

No more selfies until I can find someone to tame them, they look bad enough in the last one! 😂

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Liono]

No they don’t, it’s a lovely photo.

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to Liono]

Excellent! Go selfie mad! 4.9k seems so far away but I need to stay in this week and before I know it I will arrive at 5k or close to …. 🤞🏻

[Liono Graduate in reply to Runforthedress]

Exactly! Keep it up and you will be there before you know it!

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Lovely to read that running is really helping you both mentally and physically. I’ve managed to come off my anxiety medication, with guidance from my nurse practitioner, since I’ve been running and yes I really do put it down to that 😊. I do still have wobbles now and again (palpitations and the like) but I’ve learned to recognise what it is and that it won’t last 👍🏻

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

That’s very encouraging. I’ve been off meds before but it always returns when life ‘happens!’ Hoping that a full holistic approach is going to be more helpful this time with running as a mindful practice rather than a race!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Runforthedress]

It does have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it 🙄😢 all we can do is try to remain positive and keep running 😊

[Runforthedress Graduate]

That’s amazing and wellDone!!! It definitely makes me feel good the day I run and then I think about it all the next day! 😂

[M0use Graduate]

Yes, it's definitely helped me. I'm carer for my elderly Mum and over the last few years (COVID of course and the death of my Dad) the stress and anxiety had built up to such a degree that I was really struggling to cope, the least problem would have me in tears and feeling completely helpless (really not like me at all, I've always been the one who copes with everything). I noticed an improvement after the first week but thought I was imagining it. As the weeks went on my mood lifted, after every run I came back feeling peaceful and calm. If I don't run for a few days or if I'm having a particularly trying day I can feel my stress and anxiety increasing and I know that I need to get out there and get my legs moving. I would never have believed such a simple thing could have such an impact but it's definitely saved me. It's lovely to hear that somebody else out there has found the same benefit 🏃‍♀️💪😀

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to M0use]

Thanks for your reply. I feel the same that I’m imagining the feeling so maybe I’m not! So glad you’re getting the benefit too. I’ve always had an itch in my legs to go running but never thought or believed I could be one. Still don’t …. Yet ….

[Rungranny Graduate in reply to M0use]

I know your post is a couple of months old but I could have written it myself. Living with and caring for elderly father 90 years . Mum passed away this time last year.Stress, anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. Tears at the drop of a hat and feeling like hibernation.

I started C25k for the second time and like you the anxious feeling in my stomach melts away as I run. I just wish my free time and fitness level would allow me to go further and every day. But along with meds it has been the biggest help for anxiety I've experienced.

This Winter and Christmas season is a tough one but Spring will come soon.

Ps. I see from your profile you are same age as me and I also have a little Jack Russell companion.

[M0use Graduate in reply to Rungranny]

So lovely to hear that you have seen the same positive effects as I have, it really helps. Winter and Christmas are really challenging and at the moment icy conditions mean I've been unable to run for over a week 😯🤪, the thaw has just set in so rain or not I'm planning to get out tomorrow. Got to grab whatever chance you can at this time of year. Happy Christmas and happy running to you. 🎄

[M0use Graduate]

I'd always written myself off as definitely non sporty non runner (thanks to some fairly harsh old school PE teachers) but after graduating 3 weeks ago I'm just beginning to believe I'm a runner, you're a runner too. I even had a not very successful run the other day (too hot, too busy, wrong route) and I still came back feeling at peace with the world, you're not imagining it. 😊

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to M0use]

Amazinggggg! Well done! Very inspirational. I’m excited a new sports bra arrived today 🤣. My next purchase will be better trainers once I’ve done week 4 🤞🏻

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Runforthedress]

I’ve been researching sports bras - you’ll have to let me know if yours is any good. I might try to see if anyone has done a post somewhere on here about them 🤣

[M0use Graduate]

Great, little treats are the best, enjoy 😊

[YorkieRunner]

Good morning Runforthedress,

I too suffer from anxiety and have had terrible trouble, at times, leaving the house to run. Medication heightened the condition and now I have stopped the medication, am finding it easier. I have days when it will ‘raise it’s head’ but, on the days when I do run, the calm feeling can literally last the day. On ‘non-run’ days, I go to the gym but it doesn’t quite give me the feeling that running does. Over time, I have improved on time and distance but on the whole, that is irrelevant to me, as it is the sense of equilibrium that running brings.

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to YorkieRunner]

Thanks for your reply, I may look at meds once I know I can really trust how I feel but it’s giving me what I need at the moment. 🤞🏻👍🏻