The healing power of running: My self-care is moving meditation
Running has helped me deal with difficult emotions. It’s also been a comfort to know that I can do it when I need to as a way to ground myself and appreciate the good stuff in my life
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I’ve done my share of stress-eating with ice cream or a giant KitKat or distracting my anxiety by buying something online that I don’t need just to give myself a lift. The way I “fix” myself isn’t always healthy or well-thought-out.
But when it comes to true self-care, I’ve found what really works for me. It doesn’t cost anything, except for investing in quick-dry gear and new shoes every eight months—running. It’s helped me deal with difficult emotions. It’s also been a comfort to know that I can do it when I need to as a way to ground myself and appreciate the good stuff in my life.
Self-care is about nurturing yourself
The notion of self-care is about being good to yourself. It’s changed from having a pampering day at the spa with mani-pedis and a blowout (although that can be a nice treat) to doing something meaningful and nurturing that you make time for.
Why does running work for me?
I used to race in cross-country runs and the 400-metre track event as a teen, but then moved away from these as an adult, looking for other activities like kickboxing classes and weight training at a gym. But then having my son, Quinton, changed my workout time availability (most parents can relate to this) and threw a huge curveball into my life when he was diagnosed with autism and intellectual delay (parents of kids with special needs know exactly what I mean). I didn’t see it coming! I felt overwhelmed by what I needed to do to help him learn and develop at his own pace. He’s a kid who has never coloured inside the lines (why is that important, anyway?!) and would eat candy for breakfast or any meal, really, if he could get away with it.
His latest trick is taking swigs of maple syrup from the fridge.
Running makes me strong and capable, on my own schedule
My sister Lorie is an inspiring athlete who introduced me to running almost 10 years ago, starting out with the beginner “run five minutes and walk a minute” and working your way up. About six months in, I ran my first 5K road race and loved it. Racing is fun because you’re part of a group enjoying the outdoors and smiling at people cheering you on. More recently, I’ve participated in trail races where you navigate some hills and rough paths through the forest. It’s unbelievably beautiful. And the race vibe is so fun and friendly, like everybody wins no matter when you cross the finish line.
I’m happy, though, to just run by myself in my neighbourhood, heading out the door for a quick 5K. I’ve always liked setting my own schedule, so running is like self-care I can control and make a health deposit with on my terms. Plus, you can make it as hard as you want it to be, depending on how fast or how far you want to go. That really works for me. I like to feel energized, and running does that in spades. It’s helped me cope with the lows of my depression (self-diagnosed until I opened up to my doctor two years ago).
And as I’ve learned over the years, you can’t eliminate stress from your life, but you can counter it with relaxation in whatever form works best for you. Some people get that me-time with a hot bath or a great book (I like these too), but adding in the effort of running makes it an overall self-care win for me.
Self-care can be moving meditation
There are days, of course, when I don’t feel like going out, but it’s the kind of thing where once I start moving, I’m good. When you find that rhythm, there’s a point where I think to myself, ‘I can just keep on going.’ It can be a kind of moving meditation where I absolutely relax, focus on my breath, and put one springing foot in front of the other. It makes me feel alive, strong, and capable.
The science behind running is encouraging. There’s a hormone connection that every runner’s magazine highlights for a reason. Running stimulates the production of testosterone, a hormone crucial for muscle development and strength. While it’s more abundant in males, testosterone is still vital for female runners for muscle repair and maintaining bone density. Runners often talk about runner’s high or the release of “feel-good” serotonin and endorphins that boost mood with feelings of euphoria and reduced anxiety (even more than a giant chocolate bar).
Running benefits the brain as well as the heart and bones
Another huge bonus, neuroscientists say that running changes your brain in a good way, pointing to science that confirms running every day for 30 minutes is enough to gain amazing brain benefits. While I’m not out running every day, I do feel the good stuff from a regular routine of three or four times a week. Researchers have shown running improves executive functions, including the ability to marshal attention, switch between tasks, and solve problems. Plus, it helps you stay young. Vigorous aerobic exercise helps generate new brain cells to stay mentally fit.
I like this perk as well: “During running, the unconscious brain processes that go on in the background put you in a creative state of mind… Hence, running is important to get the flowing of creative juices,” says Keith Sawyer, author of Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration, in an article from the Mind Journal.
Creativity helps me stay positive and appreciate colouring outside the lines and unique perspectives. I think self-care should be a priority. It’s made me stronger and more resilient to life’s challenges, so that I’m solid for whatever comes next.
July 24 is International Self-Care Day. To learn more, visit the the International Self-Care Foundation online.
