A Run a Day- 3 Ways A Running Habit Can Help You Crush The Corporate Game

As a young professional, the corporate workplace can bring a set of unique challenges. The workplace can sometimes be a high-stress environment where company culture and not so friendly managers can make life hell.
Most people know that running and exercise is good for them but aren’t aware of just how well it can increase their daily performance at work. If you’re looking to nab that promotion or just feel healthier every day at your workplace, you may just be a run away from achieving your goals.
Heres Why!

- Running enhances your mood
According to a study done by the American College of Sports Medicine, spending 30 minutes on a treadmill is enough to lift the mood of someone suffering from a major depressive disorder. Although you may not be suffering from depression, it goes to show the powerful effect that running can have on your mood. An enhanced mood and positive outlook are strong assets to have as a working professional where you may meet roadblocks and setbacks daily. An enhanced mood can give you a serious edge in the corporate setting where the daily grind can sometimes lower the morale of fellow coworkers. Research published by Harvard Health also shows that running regularly boosts feelings of self-esteem and confidence significantly. As you increase your strength and stamina your self-esteem will improve along with feelings of confidence and self-mastery.

2. Stress reliever
It is not rare that you may encounter long workdays, a heavy workload, and tight deadlines which can result in stressful days. You’ll be happy to know that running reduces the level of stress hormones in our body and stimulates the release of endorphins which act as natural painkillers for the body. You may be familiar with the term “runners high” which describes the feeling of euphoria runners feel; it turns out the release of endorphins is responsible for this phenomenon.
A study published by Clinical Psychology Review shows that running also trains the brain to become resilient to stress. Author Peter Salmon writes that “training recruits a process which confers enduring resilience to stress”.

3. Running boosts your brainpower
Running can help keep your mind healthy and boost your brain’s performance significantly. Studies show that running can help improve your working memory and task switching capabilities as well as boosting your focus and sleep quality. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, running can very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration, and enhancing overall cognitive function. Having the ability to focus deeply and juggle multiple tasks will no doubt serve you well in the workplace and increase your performance. A healthy mind is the first step to conquering the workplace!
Whether you are looking to overcome a stressful work environment or looking to improve your performance at work, running can be a powerful tool in getting you there. So lace up those sneakers and get after it!
New to running? Here are some ways you can get started on your journey
- Start walking daily and work your way up to running at your own pace. Going on a brisk walk can provide many of the mood-enhancing benefits we’ve discussed and is a good way to help you work your way into the habit of running.
2. Run with a group of people you feel comfortable with. This will keep you accountable and make running a positive activity that you want to repeat.
Don’t forget to track your progress!
