Running dry? Here‘s how to get up and running again whether you’re returning from the holidays or a personal hiatus
Photo by Haley Haarms/Unsplash
Hopefully, your running shoes haven’t collected dust in the corner of your room the past few weeks. But just in case you went a little overboard over the holidays, we’re here to tell you how great running can be, especially at the start of a new year.
1. You don’t have to pay for it
The new year comes with a long list of resolutions and one of them is to sign up at the gym or fitness class to get back into shape. But your “New Year, New You” mantra may not take into consideration how your funds may have been depleted over the gift-giving holiday. Isn’t it great that running costs absolutely nothing?
2. You can sweat your way to better health
Sweating does more than just cool the body down. There are tons of research-backed benefits that come with sweating. And running is one of the best ways perspire your way to a healthier heart and a happier mindset. Oh and just to clarify, you can’t sweat out your toxins. It’s a myth.
3. You can burn calories even when resting
It’s a well-known fact that running burns a lot of calories. The calories you burn depends on your weight and the intensity of your run. A chart from the American Council on Exercise indicates that a 120-pound individual burns 11.4 calories per minute. And because running is such a high-intensity workout, your body still burns away those calories even after your run.
4. You can (finally) sleep better
Holidays are a lot of fun, but the parties and the prep for gatherings can take a huge toll on your sleeping habits. Getting back into the sport allows you to sleep better as you return to your regular routine. Once you get back into running longer distances, your body adjusts and craves the sleeping pattern you once followed.
5. You can up the ante for the new year
If you didn’t skip a run the entire holiday season, you’re amazing. But just because you were able to follow your routine doesn’t mean it stops there. There are lots of ways to improve your running. It can be anything from increasing the distance, running hills to strengthen your knees, doing intervals, or even jogging with a friend to encourage them to exercise.