Tuesday 14 February 2017

RUN! Like Your Life Depends On It.


As defined by Wikipedia, Running is a method of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is a type of gait characterized by an aerial phase in which all feet are above the ground (though there are exceptions). This is in contrast to walking, where one foot is always in contact with the ground, the legs are kept mostly straight and the centre of gravity vaults over the stance leg or legs in an inverted pendulum fashion. A characteristic feature of a running body from the viewpoint of spring-mass mechanics is that changes in kinetic and potential energy within a stride occur simultaneously, with energy storage accomplished by springy tendons and passive muscle elasticity. The term “running” can refer to any of a variety of speeds ranging from jogging to sprinting.

Running is believed to be the fastest way to lose weight, best form of cardio, and most importantly, it is the cheapest form of exercise that keeps you fit, happy and healthy. Here are some basic benefits of running.

 Energy boost

Feeling sluggish? Try going for a jog instead of lounging on the couch. Just one run can increase energy and decrease fatigue.

Natural glow

Believe it or not, working up a sweat can rid your pores of the gunk that clogs them and leads to breakouts.  A solid sweat session can also boost natural oils, keeping things fresh and healthy. (Just remember to remove makeup pre-workout and wash gently afterward to avoid breakouts.)

Running Is Good for Your Heart

Running is the king of cardio. Running even five to 10 minutes a day, at slow speed (how does a nice 12-minute mile sound to you?) is associated with a drastically reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Compared with never-runners, regular runners reduce by half the chance of dying from heart disease. Every time you run, you decrease your resting heart rate, so your heart doesn't need to work as hard.

Running Works Your Core

Running works not only your six-pack rectus abdominis, but also the deeper core muscles including your obliques, erector spinae, and transverse abdominis, which are responsible for sucking in your gut, stabilizing your spine, and transferring power between your swinging arms and legs.

Visit the doctor less

Apples aren't the only things that keep the doctor away. Active people are less likely to develop colon cancer. And ladies, women who regularly engage in intense workouts like running, can reduce their risk of breast cancer by up to 30 percent.

Turn down the pressure

Running is a natural way to keep high blood pressure at bay—and fast. Increasing workouts can help lower blood pressure in just a few weeks.

Sleep well

Runners tend to adapt to set sleeping routines in order to keep performance high. Even better: Running encourages higher quality sleep, which translates into better sleep all night long.

Running makes you happier

If you’ve been working out regularly, you’ve already discovered it: No matter how good or bad you feel at any given moment, exercise will make you feel better. And it goes beyond just the “runner’s high”—that rush of feel-good hormones known as endocannabinoids.  And even on those days when you have to force yourself out the door, exercise still protects you against anxiety and depression, studies have shown. Moderate exercise may help people cope with anxiety and stress even after they’re done working out.

Running adds years to your life

Even if you meet the minimum amount of physical activity—(30 minutes, five times per week), you’ll live longer. When different types of people started exercising, they lived longer. Smokers added 4.1 years to their lives; non-smokers gained three years. Even if you’re still smoking, you’ll get 2.6 more years. Cancer survivors extended their lives by 5.3 years. Those with heart disease gained 4.3 years.
By: Maryam Hadejia

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