Mental health

In this exclusive extract from Run Well, Dr Juliet McGrattan examines common questions on mental health, addiction and how to include running mindfully into busy lives

Q I know that running improves my mental health, but how?

A Running is a very powerful tool for keeping you mentally well. First, we know that running causes chemical changes in the brain, releasing endorphins – substances that make you feel good both during, and for a time after, a run.

Alongside this, running and other types of exercise have an antiinflammatory effect in the body. We know that many major diseases, including depression, are partly caused by a long-term, low-grade inflammation. This inflammation is caused by a number of factors, but one of them is inactivity. Running can help to counteract this, because it not only reduces harmful internal fat in the body (a significant cause of inflammation), but also causes the muscles to release anti-inflammatory proteins called myokines.

Aside from the chemistry of physical exercise, running can help you develop a positive sense of self. Setting targets and reaching goals can help build self-esteem and confidence. It can make you appreciate the power that your body has and what it can actually achieve, which is usually way beyond what you thought your capabilities were.