The benefits of jogging just keep on piling up. Jogging is one of the oldest and most popular forms of aerobic exercise. Jogging has withstood some of the trendiest exercises crazes that have come thru the years. There are many health benefits of jogging which it is why has remained so popular. They say the ideal form is to land on the ball of the heel and push with the toes. A sign of good form is to be able to feel like gliding, with hardly any pressure or weight on the feet. Purchase the proper running clothes but be especially particular with running shoes. They should be a half size bigger than the actual size, to give the toes wiggle room. Treadmill jogging is great because rain or shine, one gets to do the activity.
Jogging outdoors on the other hand lets one keep in touch with outside action. One can also determine if one is a morning or afternoon jogger, so one can plan and make time for the exercise. The benefits of jogging in the morning are that one gets fresh and well-rested, and if one runs on an empty stomach, one could burn more fat. Afternoon jogs on the other hand can help blow off steam and accumulated stress from the day. Here are seven major disease-freeing health reasons that you should take up jogging.
1. Jogging Helps Prevent Hypertension and Heart Disease
The benefit of jogging is that it can reduce the risk of developing a host of diseases. Among these is heart disease since the cardiovascular system gets a great workout with this exercise. Jogging helps to keep high blood pressure at bay. One mechanism it activates is the lowering of LDL or the “bad cholesterol” in the blood as one does vigorous exercise such as jogging. Known as the “silent killer”, hypertension can have long-term effects on the body that could lead to life-threatening conditions such as hemorrhaging, atherosclerosis, and aneurysms if it is unchecked.
2. Jogging Helps Prevent Some Cancers
Jogging is helpful in the prevention of some cancers. This is achieved by the better oxygenation of the entire body while we are jogging. Cells that do not get adequate supplies of oxygen have been known to mutate more vigorously, often turning malignant. Jogging increases the supply of oxygen to all parts of the body, helping prevent some cancers.
3. Jogging Helps Keep Infectious Diseases at Bay
Jogging also strengthens the immune system remarkably well. There is strong evidence that aerobic exercise helps promote the stimulation of macrophages or bacteria-fighting cells and lymphocytes that fight infections through the immune system. Having these cells circulate systemically helps boost our overall immunity to stave off several infectious diseases, such as the common cold and flu which are viral diseases, and some bacterial infections.
4. Jogging Wages War with Diabetes
Jogging also helps control and prevents diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle and being overweight have been shown to directly increase the risk of developing diabetes. Adopting jogging and a healthy lifestyle can prevent acquiring this debilitating condition.
Jogging also has other beneficial effects besides physical well-being. It also promotes our mental and psychological conditions.
5. Improved Mental Fitness
Jogging also benefits our mental health. Being in shape gives us a better sense of confidence and self-esteem. It also helps improve overall demeanor since jogging helps release the feel-good hormones called endorphins. These are chemicals released into the body that causes one to have an upbeat mood. This is what is commonly referred to as the runner’s high. Exercise like jogging will keep one feeling better and happy the whole day.
6. Combat Stress by Jogging
Jogging is very helpful when it comes to fighting stress. It helps put you in a more peaceful state of mind and helps promote an upbeat attitude. Jogging or running on a treadmill can give immediate tension release by helping the release of brain chemicals that have a calming effect on our emotions. Jogging and the repeated pounding of feet on the treadmill or pavement help give us that peaceful state that allows us to shut out the world and just be alone with our thoughts. This can be a very soothing feeling, shutting out stressors while we are immersed in the joy of running. It also affords us the solitude to sort out some of our daily concerns with less distraction.
7. Jogging Helps Lose Weight, Reduces Body Fat Levels
The benefit of jogging for women and men is that it almost has no equal with regards to weight regulation. It is estimated that one will burn roughly around 150 calories for every mile that one goes jogging. Doing this religiously would increase the number of calories one loses in the long run. This is one of the benefits of jogging every day. There is also the afterburn effect as one will still be burning additional calories for the next 48 hours after your last run. This is also one of the most efficient ways to lose weight and get into shape.
