With such pleasant weather these days here in the UAE, getting your daily dose of fitness has never been easier with running. While getting in shape and losing weight are two of the most universal reasons for taking up running, there are a bevy of other benefits too. Read on to learn more…

1.Boosts Happiness

Mental health experts advise that 30 minutes of moderate exercise done five times a week can help provide a positive effect on your mental health. This is because moderate exercise releases the body’s natural feel-good endorphins that counteract stress and increase feelings of happiness.

2. Keeps Illness Away

Experts point out that mild exercise helps push immune cells to be more active, this means they are readily equipped to ward off infection. In fact, those individuals who exercise routinely take 27 percent less sick days from work compared to their less active counterparts.

3. Feeds the Brain

According to research conducted at the University of Illinois, routine running can help boost mental capacity by encouraging the growth of new brain cells taking care of learning and memory. Just 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week can ward off the effects of aging on the brain.

4. Lowers the Risk of Diabetes

According to researchers at the University of British Columbia, in the US, an increase in exercise of just 500 calories per week (around eight kilometers of running) can help lessen your risk of developing the disease. In fact, running can considerably help reduce your levels of insulin – the hormone that transports sugar to the tissues for energy – large amounts of which are usually the precursor of Type 2 diabetes.

5. Easy For Anyone

It couldn’t be any easier to begin running – all you require is a decent pair of shoes and some comfortable clothing. And everyone knows how to run. You may not run with the expertise of a professional yet, but you already understand the concept of placing one foot in front of the other and then get into a suitable pace.