Running and Stress

We’re bombarded with conflicting messages about food, our bodies and exercise – and it tends to be worse at this time of year. One big issue is how the workings of the human body have been reduced to the equation of energy in versus energy out, when, in truth, it’s a marvel of engineering. Your body is in a constant state of flux, monitoring and working out what it needs and what it doesn’t. In fact, it is biologically biased in favour of energy balance and has mechanisms to ensure that it stays in a place of status quo.

the problem is, many of us have chosen to stop listening to our bodies and fallen into the trap of believing that we need to earn our food or, at the very least, burn off the excess. So instead of fixating on what the external world tells us,focus on following this advice to make sure that you have the relaxing,nourishing Christmas that you deserve.

Running uses a lot of energy and creates stress in your body, both mechanical and cardiovascular. While some stress is good for progression, when you overload your system by not resting enough or under-fuelling, your body becomes less efficient and more vulnerable to injury and illness.

Christmas is a busy time of year. running can be an antidote to its demands, as it gives you an possibility to decompress and create some space. Though, it’s crucial not to get caught up in the idea that you must or should run to burn off calories that you feel you’ve over-consumed, which just adds more stress and can lead to dysfunctional behaviours.

Instead, when you go for a run, see it as a chance to connect with nature – and yourself. Make sure that it’s something that you want to do and that you’ve fuelled for it. Running should bring joy – it shouldn’t be another thing to tick off your to-do list.