Words Louise Pyne
We already know how pounding the pavements has the power to inject our mood with the feel-good factor. But there’s another way to sustain the flurry of positive emotions that come from running and smashing your running potential.
Experts believe that mental training is just as important as physical training, and when it comes to seeing results meditation can help. Scientifically proven to improve resilience and focus, merging meditation with running (otherwise known as MAP or mental and physical training) can help to relieve feelings of low mood and depression. In one study, parents with severe depression who took part in 30 minutes of meditation and 30 minutes of aerobic exercise over eight weeks had improved mood and lower levels of depression. Scientists found that the brains of participants underwent neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells called neurons) in the hippocampus region of the brain which is responsible for mood, memory and learning.