Being a mom is like having a shift that never ends. You wake up and the list of your errands is already there, waiting for you, with new tasks just popping up as the hours go by. It’s so easy to fall into this trap of taking care of others, and completely forget that your needs are nowhere to be found on your own to-do list. Once you fall down this rabbit hole, it makes no difference whether your kids are 3 months or 13 years old, as, in your own universe, other people’s needs are always a matter of the highest priority.
If you’re a mum struggling to find your running feet, here are a few reasons why you should most definitely and totally head out for a run.
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YOU’LL BE HEALTHIER
A decision to take some time for yourself, and engage in an activity that doesn’t include your kids, can be hard. You can even feel guilty and start to think of yourself as selfish for putting your needs in front of the needs of your children, which can’t be further from the truth. To really be there for your kids, you need to feel good in your own skin. You need to be healthy now, and you need to remain healthy and be there for your kids when they are in their thirties too.
Running is the best way to keep your body in good shape and lower your risk of cancer as well as many cardiovascular health issues. It will also strengthen your bones and joints, and add more years to your life, which is something your kids would definitely approve of. Even if you think you’re too skinny or too overweight, or you don’t fit into your own mental image of a real runner based on some other characteristic, such as your age, these shouldn’t be an obstacle. The truth is, everyone can run and enjoy all the benefits this activity brings, and yes, even a mum.
YOU’LL BE HAPPIER
Running is also well-known for the impact it has on your mental health, and can indeed make you happier. It’s scientifically proven that it reduces anxiety, depression, and stress levels and at the same time boosts your self-confidence. Even a 5-minute run can significantly decrease your chances of becoming depressed as it will make endorphins, also known as happiness hormones, flow through your body, and boost your mood. And when a mom is happy, chances are everyone else in the family will be happy too.
YOU’LL HAVE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF
Besides elevating your mood, spending some time alone can definitely help you keep your sanity. If you can’t remember the last time you were out on your own, focused on no one else but yourself, taking an hour-long run a couple of times a week, can feel like an eye-opening experience. It’s the time you can use to reconnect with yourself and focus on your own needs and wishes, something you can never do with your kids around. Plus, your kids will benefit from interactions with other grown-ups too, no matter if those are other members of your close family, your husband, a babysitter, or another mum, with whom you can take turns in babysitting. If you have trouble organizing your day to make some room for your running, try scheduling it ahead, just like you would with any other appointment.
YOU’LL SLEEP BETTER
Nothing is more precious in the world of parents than a good night’s sleep. When you start running, your sleep will improve too. This goes for both the quantity and the quality of your sleep – you will fall asleep faster, sleep longer and spend more hours in deep sleep, which is important for your recovery. Still, there is a catch – don’t wait to lull your young ones to sleep, and then head out for a run, as all the endorphins flowing through your body will keep you awake.
YOU’LL TEACH YOUR CHILDREN SOME VALUABLE LESSONS
By taking some time to engage in running, you will teach your kids a few valuable lessons, and you will do so in the best possible way – by modeling. Seeing their mum going out for a run every day will teach your kids that taking care of themselves and their health is as regular as having a meal or brushing their teeth before their bedtime, a part of their daily routine. They will also learn that it’s natural for everyone to take some time alone, engage in the activities of their own choice, and for their own benefit, which is one of the most valuable lessons they can get.
These reasons should be enough for you to grab a pair of running shoes, tie up your laces, and get those endorphins flowing. You can bet your kids will be grateful for this, especially in the long run.
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