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With so many daily impacts on our health, time, and calendars, it’s hard to schedule ‘me time,’ let alone work out. However, it’s more important and more accessible than ever before. Running is the answer to your problems. Whether you need to focus on your health, save time and money, or lower your stress, running is an easy and efficient solution that you can start as soon as today. Keep reading to learn more about why running is your solution and how it can save your life.

Health Benefits

There are a lot of benefits to running, especially for women. With heart disease and cardiovascular issues on the rise, running is an easy antidote to help protect and prevent yourself from a stroke or death. Running has also been shown to increase muscle mass, lower the risk of developing cancer, lower neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and improve mental health.

Studies also show women are naturally more flexible than men, which helps avoid injuries. Dr. D.S. Blaise Williams, director of the VCU Run Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University, was quoted on this subject about flexibility; “If you load exactly on the same point of your joint the same way over and over again, it’s going to place a lot of stress on it. With more flexibility, you’re not going to load the tissues in exactly the same way every time.”

Running also helps you live longer, healthier, and sleep better. Who doesn’t want that? Researchers at the University of South Carolina and the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans say that running a maximum of 20 miles per week can help you live longer.

Running Is What You Make It – Social or Not

Running is a flexible sport that puts you in control. Whether you’re looking for a new social outlet, solidarity time, or both, running lets you determine what you want when you want it. With a wide variety of running clubs at all skill levels, treadmills at gyms, or a combination of workout classes, running is truly a social sport with several options, many free. For those times when you’re looking for more quiet time, running can be a solitary event where you can run your worries or stresses into the pavement and let your endorphins flow.

A Time Saver

Running is a sport that can literally be done anywhere. Indoors or outdoors, there are no limitations or excuses to not get a run-in. Running even a few short minutes every day can save your life. Healthline’s article states, “Studies show that running just 5 to 10 minutes each day at a moderate pace may help reduce your risk of death from heart attacks, strokes, and other common diseases.” So, whether you have 5 minutes or an hour, running needs to be part of your weekly fitness routine. We all have 5 minutes to focus on our health.

Stress Eliminator

It’s no secret that stress is a silent killer all around us. No matter how well you do or don’t manage stress, running is a sure way to grab it by the straps and pound it into the ground. With deadlines, relationships, and everyday stress, it’s no wonder we seek to escape our lives. Having the flexibility to step outside, into your local gym or garage, and run, gives you the freedom to focus on your mental health and eliminate stress today.

An Affordable Sport

These days sports costs can be through the roof, not to mention gym memberships or organized sports teams. Running is an affordable solution to combat inflation and other increasing daily expenses. By starting to run, you can continue taking care of your body and mind without breaking the bank.

Typically, the most critical investment for the sport is a supportive and well-fitting pair of running shoes. Companies like Brooks Running even offer an online shoe finder that helps you select the best pair for your unique needs in as little as 5 minutes. Also, remember to wear a supportive sports bra. There are many options to choose from for all breast sizes and needs. Not having proper support can cause issues, so invest in a bra for your body. You are saving money by starting an accessible sport, after all, so don’t skimp on proper support. Throw on a shirt and shorts, and you’re ready for your first run. It’s really that easy.

Start Running Today

Whether you’re starting from the couch or dabbled with running in the past, begin incorporating the sport into your daily or weekly schedule. It will provide lifesaving health benefits. It can be your new social outing or me time activity, save you time, and won’t break the bank. Running as little as 5 minutes a day can start making a lasting impact on you today. So, grab your shoes, stretch, and show yourself what you can do when you put your mind to it.