Mental Benefits of Sport
Posted by Cags R under Running on 30 Jul 2012 at 11:00 PM
Asics Europe have recently performed a study on the reasons people start running and why they then continue with it.
The original drive to begin running is generally physical - 'I want to lose weight' or 'I want to improve my fitness'. Most of us can probably relate to this goal as a reason to start exercising more frequently, but what is it that makes us continue exercising once we reach our weightloss or fitness goals?
In their survey, the Asics researchers found that the motivation to continue exercising is predominantly to do with the mental benefits that exercise produces; 'stress-relief', 'enjoyment' and 'mental rewards of reaching targets' are leading reasons for people to include regular exercise into their routine. This is also combined with the fact that exercise is addictive - all those awesome endorphines make you want to keep coming back to it.
Although weight loss is a huge motivator to start running, enjoyment and fitness are what keeps people running. The report also went into why people choose running as a fitness/weight loss option; it is easily accessible, there is minimal specialist equipment, it does not depend on proximity to facilities and it is cheap!
You can read more about it in Asics' report here and don't forget to leave your success stories in comments below! How do you feel running has helped your stress levels?
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encouraged this.
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Luckily, I might not a person that suffers from stress generally...having said that, it does clear out any tresses that crop up-and if you are feeling neutral/good to begin with, you feel even better at the end of a run! Lets hear it for euphoria! :-D
Jonathan H • • Encourage
Lucille W, Gill C and 4 othersLucille W, Gill C, Teresa D, Celeste M, Kirstin M and Joanne H encouraged this.
Working out and running anchors me. I have so much going on in my life - in a good way - but it can get a bit hectic. Running make me feel like I accomplish something. Running helps me connect with things outside my desk area. =) Perspective always lowers stress levels for me.
Lucille W • • Encourage
Peter M, Gill C and 6 othersPeter M, Gill C, Celeste M, Kirstin M, Niamh O, Jonathan H, Joanne H and Callie C encouraged this.
Me in a nutshell. Started to lose my gut and it worked! Now I do it as much for the mental as the physical. TS KEEPS ME MOTIVATED and now I motivate others!
Peter M • • Encourage
Lucille W, Gill C and 4 othersLucille W, Gill C, Celeste M, Kirstin M, Laura N and Joanne H encouraged this.
@nyy1b23 I totally agree with that - maybe we should ask asics to add in the TS effect into their study next time!
Cags R • • Encourage
Peter M, Kirstin M and 3 othersPeter M, Kirstin M, Laura N, Jonathan H and Joanne H encouraged this.
I'm finding running is a great way to empty the head!
Sussi Å • • Encourage
Kirstin M, Lucille W and 1 otherKirstin M, Lucille W and Joanne H encouraged this.
I am a person who seems to be prone to stress. I started running to improve my fitness but I feel like I have improved my mental wellbeing too. I have a stressful job I find difficult to take time away from, and when I do get time off I try to catch up with friends and family, so running is my 'me-time'. :)
Sara P • • Encourage
Kirstin M, Lucille W and 2 othersKirstin M, Lucille W, Laura N and Joanne H encouraged this.
Although I am not now a runner, I still feel the rush after a good workout and walking or any exercise, especially out doors, is just as good at improving a low mood as running (being somewhere different, a change of scenery, giving your brain a rest from worries etc)
Kirstin M • • Encourage
Lucille W and Joanne H encouraged this.
I agree with you there @kirstin200 - although I run occasionally I prefer to cycle, even if it's raining there's definitely a great feeling after a quick paced run or cycle which cheers me up. I do get mega-grumpy if I'm unhappy with my performance in sport though - my old hockey team called it my 'post-loss strop'!
Cags R • • Encourage
Joanna R, Lucille W and 3 othersJoanna R, Lucille W, Laura N, Jonathan H and Joanne H encouraged this.
interesting post @cags - aside from generally making me happy I also love running because no matter how you perform in races, and even if you don't compete in races at all, you are always competing against yourself - the cycle of continuous improvement is healthy and rewarding.
Joanna R • • Encourage
Lucille W, Laura N and 3 othersLucille W, Laura N, Jonathan H, Joanne H and Callie C encouraged this.
To my mind sport is essential to a balanced lifestyle. I have relied even more on running since I lost my job over a year ago but like Lucille W said it absolutely acts as an anchor for me. Although I do take days off I generally feel better when some form of excercise is part of my day!!
Niamh O • • Encourage
Laura N, Joanne H and 1 otherLaura N, Joanne H and Lori W encouraged this.
I found this a while back http://www.runaddicts.net/health-nutrition/the-physical-and-mental-benefits-of-running
Mike D • • Encourage
Joanne H encouraged this.
I dont run, but I do exercise in other ways. I know that if I don't exercise regularly I get pretty ansty! I also know that if I have a bad day at work a decent round of curcuits does far more for my state of mind than anything else. And that includes chocolate! =D
Kirstie M • • Encourage
Joanne H and Paris F encouraged this.
Very good reading............:)
Neil B • • Encourage
Lori W encouraged this.
When I was in college, I took up Yoga as a means of mental relief after being diagnosed with a form of depression. I always maintain that was the main reason I had such a speedy recovery. Now, after being diagnosed with something similar, my running and my exercise is what has kept me sane (relatively at least) over the last year. Exercise is the one thing I could not live without, it's my 'drug' and what is fixing me :) Great article!
Emma K • • Encourage
Cags R, Callie C and 1 otherCags R, Callie C and Paris F encouraged this.
nothing helps stress and depression better than a good run or workout. i try to get people to understand this on a daily basis. too many people taking antidepressants. this is one reason i cant wait to get my pt certification.
Lori W • • Encourage
Paris F encouraged this.
Great survey, Since I've been on both sides of the fence on this one I totally agree with the results. After starting to run to get in shape and lose weight, I've found that I've fallen in love with it again and it's fun and rewarding.
Cory W • • Encourage
Lori W and Paris F encouraged this.
Stay fit for fun, I say =)
Paris F • • Encourage