Lesser known benefits of Running

Most people know that running is good for your health.  And at the start of January many take it up as a resolution to improve their fitness.  But there are other benefits to running, so let's have a look.


Eyes
Apparently, running can help towards preventing eyesight degeneration.
According to a study performed by the Emory University in Atlanta, running increases the protective power of retinal neuron production.
Therefore it is a free and healthy way of helping to protect your vision.

Fun
While it is obvious to most people that running promotes weight loss and produces a leaner figure (when also watching nutrition), it is less obvious that having a leaner figure can actually increase the enjoyability of physical exercise.
In a study published by the International Journal of Obesity, it was shown that the leaner a body gets, the more the brain will associate working our with pleasure.
To put it another way, the more you run, the more likely you are to stay active and enjoy other fitness opportunities.

Joint Cartilage
For a long time it has been thought that running had a negative impact on our joints. Many elite runner have refuted these claims that their sport can cause arthritis in their hips, knees and ankles.
Actually, according to a 2013 study by the Life Sciences Division, "long distance running does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis of the knees and hips for healthy people."  The same study showed that long-distance running "might even have a protective effect against joint degeneration."

Healthier family
As bizarre as it may sounds, a 2014 study published in the British Medical Journal said that the spouses of runners are likely to have better heart health than the spouses of non-runners. They actually did not know why but they think it is the active lifestyle of the runner rubbing off on the other people.

Mental Agility
Evidence shows that running will help to keep you smarter for longer.
According to a 2012 study published in Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, regular exercise helps to defeat the mental decline that comes with age.
With running also offering elderly people a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, it is a popular pastime available to the older generation.

Social Life
Getting outdoors, joining a running club, can only help to increase your social life. Loneliness and isolation can bring on several poor mental health issues. So not only are you doing your body good, but you are also increasing the number of friends.