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American psychotherapist Gontang nog longer has his clients lie down on a sofa! For thirty years he 's been taking them running!
But you don't necessarily need a therapist to feel better by running.
How to feel better by running
1. Take a few deep breathes
Gontang advises to take a few deep breaths before you start to run. This way your parasymapatic nervous system is stimulated which helps you to become more calm.
2. Focus on your breathing during your run
While you're running focus on your breathing. Imagine how your breathing in all kind of good stuff, and every breath out you release your annoyances, grievances and disappointments.
3. Go outside!
Do this outside! Nature enhances the positive effects of running. Being outside makes you realise there's more to life than you and your problems. Being outside makes you glad to be alive.
Running definitely makes me feel better!
When I'm running, with every outward breath I think about the bad report cards from my eldest son. I think about how my hubby's eyes glaze over when I tell him about my day. And I think about all the senior citizens who pass me by.
And with every breath inward I think about how well I'm doing, how I'm running.
How I'm alive!
2 comments
Hi ~
When I first started reading your blog, I thought... hey maybe I should give running a try. I allow myself to get seasonal depression every winter, and I get so disappointed in myself for not having any motivation. My head tells me I need to exercise, but I always put it off. So I read through all of your posts in the "Motivation" category. I feel like running might really help me. Thank you so much for your honest accounts on running. How far should I run as a beginner? I will start out walking until warmed up and then run I assume. Any advice for a beginner would be most welcome :)
Thanks again,
Monica
http://mysignsoflife.today.com/
Hello Monica,
I highly recommend running to feel better!
There are several 'get started schedules' out there. Just google: 'running for beginners'. What's important when you start running is that you don't go too fast: you should still be able to have a conversation!
I followed a schedule that took me from my coach to running for 30 minutes in 3 months. I got it from The complete book of running for women by Claire Kowalchik.
Have fun!
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