Running Is My Therapy: Relieve Stress and Anxiety, Fight Depression, Ditch Bad Habits, and Live Happier

brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Many of the positive changes here described—increased BDNF levels, better-functioning neurotransmitter systems, growth in the hippocampus—are key to running providing short- and long-term relief from depression and anxiety.

says. A review of research on exercise and cognitive function in older people concluded that “physical exercise is a promising nonpharmaceutical intervention to prevent age-related cognitive decline

In discussing their findings, the researchers suggested that regular running seems to rewire our brains.

Research has found better cognitive performance among fit people whether they’re school-aged, younger adults, middle-aged, or older adults. 6 These running-makes-you-smarter findings generally have to do with mental acuity during our sedentary hours.

Using MRIs to measure the brains of competitive runners and age-matched sedentary people, a University of Arizona study found that the runners had greater functional connectivity between separate parts of their brains.

Another key to later-in-life brain health is running’s role in lowering inflammation. Amyloid plaques are fibrous clumps of protein fragments that attach to the outside of cells and are thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s and other cognitive problems. Smith and Burns agree that regular running can help to remove these plaques and other toxic subst

Research overwhelmingly shows that people who regularly do aerobic exercise, such as running, perform better on several types of cognitive tasks.

such as a Spanish study that found aerobically fit subjects performed better than sedentary people on a test of sustained mental focus. 5