Let Running Help You Live a Good Life

By Sean Flynn

It is only natural for people to aspire to live a good life. We work hard day in and day out to find success in our chosen career and happiness in our personal lives. Unfortunately, all those hours at the office and trying to squeeze in family time during the few hours left after work can cause us to neglect a very important aspect of the good life: our health and fitness.

Maintaining a balanced life leads to living a good life. Ignoring the need for proper exercise and nourishment will cause you to live an unbalanced life, and this can lead to numerous physical and emotional ailments.

This need for balance is often what leads people to lace up their sneakers and start running, as running has been proven to be effective for warding off physical ailments as well as those caused by stress. Being in good physical condition as well as managing stress effectively leads a person to a very well balanced, good life, and this is just one of the many benefits of running.

When it comes to cardiovascular exercise, running burns more calories than any other activity. The exact number burned is dependent on several different factors, though it is generally agreed upon that even light jogging can burn hundreds of calories an hour.

It also provides training for several major muscle groups at once. This makes it a great way to get fit and lose those extra pounds you've been trying to get rid of. Taking up running will also keep you from feeling guilty if you overindulge at dinner or during the holidays!

When asked about running, many runners report that their sport contributes to them living the good life by giving them what is known as "the runner's high." This is caused by a release of endorphins caused by running that makes the runner experience a "high" feeling.

In addition to these endorphins, running helps to slow the process of aging by encouraging the production of human growth hormone. It also severely limits muscle and bone loss as you get older.

Running requires very little initial investment. All you need to slow down the aging process and increase your overall level of health is a pair of sneakers and some comfortable clothes. And one of the greatest benefits of running is that it can be done anywhere - you can start right outside your own front door! This simplicity makes it a perfect hobby for those with limited finances or those who want to stay away from complicated, gear-intensive sports.

When you stop to consider the lives of those you really admire for living a good life, chances are they include some type of fitness regimen in their daily routine to help them manage stress and stay healthy. Why not give running a try as a way to help you live a good life, too? - 30553

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