In the past two weeks, I have been actively engaging in lots of physical exercises. Additionally, I have been jogging past five-mile route each morning and evening. I decided to undertake the initiative as a means of research and alternative form of stress management. Nonetheless, despite the productive results that I have seen, I must warn that jogging is a physical exercise that might prove strenuous and daunting for most people. Nonetheless, it is important to state that jogging allows the coordination and participation of various parts of the body. This need to coordinate and perform is a means in which the mind relaxes.
Breathing is an essential part of the exercise. When running through rough terrains, the body is forced to use all the energy it has saved and breathing forms a significant part of that process. The process of forced exhalation gives body relaxation ( Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia, 2013). This form of stress relief is a potent inducer of dopamine release in the brains; resultantly, one becomes happy. Nonetheless, I realized one thing, voluntary withholding one’s breath while running gives a better energy jolt compared with breathing in and out involuntarily.
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The relaxation process of running is a long term process. Despite one running each day, relaxation is a process that takes time. Therefore, developing a technique that works with one body and, the mind is primary to the relaxation process. However, I was able to attain and master my technique by following three key points:
Relaxation of hands, shoulders and leg joints provides relief to the body.
Head should remain erect and avoid stressing facial muscles.
Maintaining one’s strides during the short marathon is a priority ( Van Oeveren, et al., 2017).
Mental training is an essential process in jogging. When running, maintaining one’s strides allows the runner to finish faster, whereas shorter strides are an indication of difficulty and tension ( Ramirez & Kravitz, 2012). Nonetheless, it is crucial to indicate that training is one of the ways through which people can overcome tension and pre-race nerves. Additionally, training is used to prepare the mind of the runner as they pass through the various milestones to improve their form.
Mental speed and attention are essential. Through going for several runs, one builds not only tolerance but also a mental speed and concentration. These abilities are critical for any athlete. Nonetheless, these skills are also crucial as it improves one’s ability to remember and recollect. Therefore, part of the importance of jogging is an improved cognitive ability.
Running is a form of physical stress aimed at offsetting mental stress. Plato said, “Exercise will cure a guilty conscience” through relieving it from stress. Harvard Health Publishing (2019) describes the relaxation process of jogging as a result of breathing out as a significant source of relaxation. Running requires a limited intake and release of air, to help in the aerobic metabolism. This continued cycle gives the body a sense of relaxation each time the runner exhales.
Dopamine is not the only hormone produced by the brain when running. Endorphins released in the brains have been known to cause the runner’s high. During this trance, the body of the runner is flooded with these hormones leading to reduced stress and increased energy. Additionally, Leptin in low volumes increases one able to compete in track events.
References
Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Australia. (2013). Running and Jogging - Health Benefits . Better Health Channel - Home. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/running-and-jogging-health-benefits
Harvard Health Publishing. (2019, September 24). Exercising to Relax . Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
Ramirez, A., & Kravitz, L. (2012). Resistance training improves mental health. IDEA Fitness Journal , 9 (1), 20-22.
Van Oeveren, B. T., De Ruiter, C. J., Beek, P. J., & Van Dieën, J. H. (2017). Optimal stride frequencies in running at different speeds. PloS one , 12 (10).
