|  | Mental Health | Anxiety Disorders

Runner's Anxiety

Runners often complain they feel anxiety when they are not able to run. Despite this, based on research conducted in 2009, running might prevent anxiety in the long run.

  1. Non-Running Days

    • Runners experience a reduction in anxiety and an improvement in mood when they find time to run. The increase in anxiety on days when the runner doesn't run is not only chemically based but might also result from the runner feeling an obligation to run.

    Anxiety Research

    • The Journal of Psychology, Health and Medicine found small changes in a runner's state anxiety, exhaustion, tranquility, positive engagement and revitalization after running.

    Runner's High

    • Runners and other athletes have reported they experience a "high" when running. This high is a feeling of euphoria that is the result of endorphins releasing in the body.

    Performance Anxiety

    • Runners also experience anxiety when they are expected to run for competitive reasons. Researchers from the Journal of Sports Behavior found that coping strategies are the only effective methods of alleviating this anxiety.

    Brain Cells

    • Running helps to alleviate anxiety for those who have an anxiety disorder. Researchers at Princeton University discovered that exercising stimulates the creation of brain cells that are more resistant to anxiety.

Anxiety Disorders - Related Articles