1. Running with a group creates a feeling of social acceptance

Because we as human beings need others to ensure our survival, through our early years our brains are wired to be social. We need to connect with other people. It helps us to build a sense of belonging and trust, increasing our self-esteems.

2. Relieves stress and uplifts your mood

Everyone knows that running is a great way to get into shape, but did you know that it can lift your mood and decrease stress? Stress can actually cause a number of health and mood problems. It can also diminish appetite and sleep quality. When you run, you force your body to exert excess energy and hormones. You will find that after only a few minutes of running, your brain will start to secrete hormones that naturally improve your mood. There are few things in the world that can better treat stress than exercise such as running.

Running really is incredibly beneficial to the body, mind, and spirit, and you will find that even short runs can leave you feeling more energized, more focused, and better able to enjoy all that life has to offer.

3. Losing weight

Running is one of the best forms of exercise for losing or maintaining a consistent weight. It is a fantastic way to burn off extra calories and hence getting you in shape, giving your self-confidence a boost.

4. Improve your overall health

Believe it or not, running is actually a great way to increase your overall level of health. Research shows that running can raise your levels of good cholesterol while also helping you increase lung function and use. In addition, running can also boost your immune system and lower your risk of developing blood clots.

For women, running can actually help to lower your risk of breast cancer and can also help reduce the risk of having a stroke. Many doctors today recommend running for people who are in the early stages of diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis, and it is proven to help reduce the risk of having a heart attack. By helping the arteries retain their elasticity and strengthening the heart, your chances of suffering a heart attack can be significantly reduced.

5. Sense of pride and accomplishment

You can set goals for yourself to reach and you with undoubtedly enjoy the sense of accomplishment when reaching those goals. Even if you can’t run around the block without huffing and puffing, you can still run to boost self-esteem. The first time you run around the block, you will feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment.

6. Expand your limits

Running will allow you to test and expand your limits like never before. With each milestone you reach, your confidence will increase, finding yourself more confident and able to conquer the world.