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What are the mental benefits of running? How does a physical activity connect to matters of the head and the heart? Many probably run to keep physically fit. They are not aware of the great mental benefits that accompany running.

First, to decide to run and really go on a run takes great determination. Many would rather 'rest' stretched out in horizontal meditation than go out again after a hard day at work. If you can pull yourself off the couch, put on your running shorts and shoes, you have already overcome a great part of the naturally lazy human body.

As you warm up and stretch, you loosen the taut and tensed muscles in every inch of your body. You already feel the carbon dioxide ooze then rush out from your body and into the air as you let out a yawn. Your shoulders would be released of a heavy head burdened by the cares of the world. You smile as you imagine yourself running away and leaving behind the headaches you brought home from your workplace.

As you step out into the open, you start with a walk as your mind screams 'Turn around and go back to the couch!' You determine to go faster and faster into a walk run. You have overcome the negative you which clammer for attention and self-pity. You smile as you realize that you are at the doorstep of the World of Possibilities. The 'No, you can'ts' and 'You'll never make it' that are hurled at you by parents, colleagues and yourself perhaps slowly ebb into remoteness. Possibilities begin to unfold ahead of you.

You grimace as your body starts groaning towards the switch from anaerobic state into aerobic state. You start panting and your legs turn into lead-ladden weights as you plough into a slower pace. But you tell yourself there is no turning back and that you must succeed and prove everyone wrong in calling you a good for nothing. Just one more minute, you tell yourself. All of a sudden, your breath deepens and your body seems to float. Congratulations! Your mind has taken over the pains of your body. All of a sudden, you feel that anything is possible now.

As you run on, all of a sudden you notice people around you, struggling as you did. You long to tell them to plough on, never to give up and just plough on. You realize again that you have reached a new plateau in your life. All of a sudden you find you no longer feel useless or a puppet in your employer's eyes. You finally feel that you can achieve anything placed ahead of you. You have gained a new strength and a new confidence in yourself.

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