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

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.

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

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

and neurodegenerative diseases.

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

A Dutch study published in 2013 found that regular exercisers performed better on a creative problem-solving test when they did a short workout.

brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

So, when we’re designing a prescription for exercise, our goal should be to boost cardiorespiratory fitness for that person. Our data suggest that’s necessary to achieve the brain benefits.”

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