National Running Day and the Health Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

Each year on the first Wednesday in June, people across the United States participate in National Running Day.  The day was designated as a way for runners to reaffirm their passion for running and for beginners to make a life-changing commitment to running.

For some, running is a daily routine. The moment the runner awakes, their mission is to complete a set distance. They may have a partner, or they go it alone. Others fit in a run when time allows or at the end of their workday. The marathoner will train on a schedule, and the dedicated runner knows they have to take care of their feet, knees and eat right to maintain their bodies for the road.

Since it improves aerobic fitness, running is a great way to help improve cardiovascular health. Plus, it burns calories and can build strength, among other things. There’s also a long list of psychological benefits runners gain from their sport.

Even a 30-minute run can lift symptoms of depression and improve mood. Spending 30 minutes on a treadmill is enough to life the mood of someone suffering from major depressive disorder. Even participants who moved at a walking pace received the same mood-lifting benefit.

Running can also significantly improve cardiovascular health. We know that aerobic activity is good for the hart, so it’s no surprise that running can improve cardiovascular fitness. In general, the more people run, the healthier their hearts tend to be. But you can get bug benefits without having to do a lot: running just five minutes per day could add years ti your life.

Overall, running and other forms of aerobic exercise significantly reduce your chances of death. Getting 30 minutes or more of aerobic exercise on a regular basis makes people significantly less likely to die from any cause. Getting and hour or more of movement is even better. People who meet these exercise guidelines are significantly less likely to develop a number of forms of cancer.

For many people, the easiest way to get all these benefits of exercise is to get out and start running. Whatever the distance, the celebration of National Running Day is about placing one foot in front of the other and setting a pace.

Whether you run a few miles or just around the block, by yourself or with a friend or three, this is a perfect day to go for a run! Pace yourself and share your celebration with us using #NationalRunningDay to post on social media.