The pitter-patter of running shoes can be heard as the DGS cross country team runs by. The team is practicing for their upcoming meet, wanting to do the best they can. Whether they realize it or not, their running times aren’t only improving, but their mental wellbeing is as well.
Running is known by many to help keep in shape or to burn off steam, but it’s also linked to improved mental wellbeing. According to a study conducted by the University of Edinburgh, it found that both men and women runners had lower depression rates than those who didn’t run. Marathoners had even lower rates than those who just jogged.
Junior Varsity cross country runner Jonathan Robinson has found himself experiencing these benefits when running personally, whether intentional or not.
“I don’t purposely do it. I’ll be thinking about a bunch of stuff, just generic things like school, homework, auditions, and after the run my mind is just black. It’s when I’m running with people, my mind transitions from all the stuff that I was worried about to all the stuff that is here, in the moment, right now,” Robinson said.
These benefits vary person to person. Each person can experience something different, it all just depends on who they are. One person could experience more positive moods while another can clear their mind more.
Head cross country coach Brian Caldwell believes that no matter how ever you’re feeling, a run will always improve your mood. Even if you’re feeling miserable during the run, you’ll come out of it feeling much better.
“[I] really strongly believe that exercise is kind of a key to keeping up with really positive mental health and sometimes the best thing for [me] is when [i’m] in a bad mood or having an off day or whatever is just to kind of go and sweat it out, go get a run. I’ve never gone for a run and felt worse, I’ve felt worse during it, but I always truly believe you always feel better,” Caldwell said.
No one needs to be a professional runner or dedicated marathoner to start taking advantage of these benefits. Anyone can, even with just a simple all out run for a short time or an hour long jog. All you need to do is get out and run.
“Just going out and doing [a run] and whether you see yourself as a runner or not, just getting out and moving your body I think is really important. I don’t think it has to be running. I think for some people that are completely new to it, maybe you jog for a minute and you walk for four and you jog for a minute and you walk for four,” Caldwell said.
Whenever you need it, a run is always there to make you feel better. Whether it’s a jog in a park or a sprint on a treadmill, those positive mental health benefits are always there to support you along the way.
