Running is an exhilarating sport for retirees. Besides being a fun and engaging way to make new friends, it offers the advantages of improved health and renewed energy.
Whether your run is short or long, fast or slow, it’s a healthy way to fill up the hours of free time that your retirement years afford you.
One of the biggest rewards of retirement is getting some time back that may have been lost to the decades of your working years. You gain extra hours in your day to spend any way you want. Even if you feel like you made some retirement mistakes getting to this point, a good investment of that time is focusing on your health.
Running is a simple exercise that most people can do at any age. A regular running routine strengthens your body inside and out, even if you start it later in life.
Here Are 8 Reasons To Start Running After Retirement To Help Attain Optimal Health:
Strengthens Your Joints And Bones
Running is a weight-bearing exercise that slightly stresses the skeletal system. The stress stimulates bone growth, strengthening the bones, which will help reduce the natural bone loss associated with aging.
Strong bones will also help reduce stress in your knees, hips, and ankles, which comes at a perfect time when you see so many of your peers suffering from joint pain. Overall, good joint health will help you be more mobile, flexible, and stable on your feet.
Improves Your Cardiovascular System
Running is an aerobic activity that strengthens your heart and lungs. A vigorous run increases your heart rate, which gets your blood pumping and improves your circulatory system.
Regular running will lower your resting heartbeat over time, which will help make your blood vessels more elastic. The end result is your body will deliver oxygen to your heart more efficiently.
Another benefit is that running will help reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which will reduce your risk of heart disease.
Helps Maintain A Healthy Body Weight
A swift run boosts your metabolism and burns calories quickly. Even though you take a rest after running, your metabolism keeps going, and your heart keeps pumping for a while, so you’re continuing to burn more calories, which is referred to as the afterburn effect.
Running also helps preserve lean muscle mass, which will help keep your metabolism high. When combining running with a healthy diet, you can either lose or maintain your current weight, leading to a leaner body and better health markers overall.
Reduces Stress And Anxiety
Every time you run, your brain releases hormones called endorphins. Endorphins are “feel good” hormones that naturally elevate your mood. All your life, whether you used to be a runner or are just getting started, you’ve probably heard runners refer to the elevation in their mood as the “runner’s high.”
At the same time, your body will reduce cortisol, a hormone responsible for reducing stress and anxiety.
Mood And Mental Health Improvement
When you run, your brain releases a hormone called serotonin in addition to the endorphins mentioned above.
Serotonin carries messages between your brain and the rest of your body. This hormone helps to regulate your mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, blood clotting, and sexual desire.
Serotonin also affects your memory and ability to learn.
Better Quality Of Life And Increased Longevity
By staying as healthy as possible, you can enjoy a good quality of life and live it longer. Running reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers that can take a toll on the body.
Improves Cognition
Running supports brain health by improving blood flow to your brain and releasing brain-derived neurotrophic factors.
As a result, your blood carries nutrients to the rest of your body more quickly and increases your oxygen level. The overall effect improves your focus and memory and aids in problem-solving.
Opportunities For Social Interactions
Running is a great way to meet new people. It will naturally connect you with others who share similar health and fitness goals. They can also motivate you and make your runs more enjoyable.
Networking with other runners can even open up opportunities for community races you can participate in together.
Tips for Healthy Running
If you’re ready to start running once you retire, remember to start gradually and prioritize safety. For greater peace of mind, consider speaking to your primary care doctor to assess any potential effects on your health.
Be sure to do some simple stretching exercises before running to warm up your body. It’s worthwhile to invest in a good pair of supportive running shoes, which will give your feet the proper support.
A good way to ease into running is to start with a brisk walk. From there, you can build your stamina slowly by switching to a walk-run routine. In this way, you give your joints and muscles time to adapt to the increase in activity.
Lastly, be sure to listen to your body and adjust your running schedule and goals as needed to protect your body while meeting your running goals.