by Todd Daigneault

Created on: July 27, 2007   Last Updated: June 27, 2010

The health benefits of running are enormous. Number one, it is a great stress reducer, as the body is flooded with endorphins. Stress, that terrible thing that can cause insomnia, night terrors, heart disease and strokes, higher rates of influenza and cancer can be greatly reduced by a consistent running or even walking program.  Through the reduction or elimination of stress can also come a more productive life in work, rest and play. After all, most of us are overstressed in our lives, one way or another.

Running is also great for reducing body weight and developing lean body mass: muscles. With a reduction in body weight comes an easing of strain on the heart as the heart develops and the fat goes away. A stronger heart, under less strain from obesity beats slower and stronger, instead of more rapidly and weaker. This lessens the chance of heart attacks and other heart diseases such as the rapidly growing rate in society of congestive heart failure, where a weakened heart can loose its efficiency to the point where it becomes  enlarged and very weak, leading to serious health complications and even death.  With the weight loss as a result of the running can also reduce an individual's chance of getting diabetes, in some cases even partially or completely reversing it.

As the mean body weight drops and the physique develops also comes higher emotional self-esteem, better self-confidence and a far more positive outlook on life. Scientists have done the research that proves people who have these better ways of thinking live longer than people who are far more negative with lower esteem and self-confidence. Emotional health is an excellent health benefit of running-and is directly related to physical health.   For people who have better emotional health, they get along better with friends and family. They have better relationships with people, and are better able to deal with issues and problems in their lives. 

As the self-confidence improves in leaps and bounds from the better conditioning and health as the result of running, they start having better relationships.  The health benefits of running are indeed enormous. Amazingly, even a little bit of running goes a long way. You certainly don't have to run ten miles a day. Even running five miles a week can pay dividends back to you in improved health.  Combine running with a better diet, nutritional supplements and herbs, and the health dividends only increase. 

Herbs like reishi, maitake and cordyceps also make the body stronger.  In concert with running or other excersises, a potent combination that can pay huge health dividends.  These herbs are "adaptogenic", which makes the body stronger against stress and normalizes body functions.  Cordyceps increases lung strength and capacity, a healthy plus for many runners.  Running, a proper diet, nutritional and herbal supplementation can keep a person fit and healthy well into old age. 

Learn more about this author, Todd Daigneault.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.