It doesn’t matter whether you want to get fit, burn fat, get out of the house, or simply improve your health, morning runs are the perfect way of doing exactly that.
If you are looking to get your running workouts in nice and early, there are heaps of benefits of running a mile a day in the morning to be enjoyed, which is what we’re looking at today.
Running is a very popular pastime and physical activity, in that it can be done virtually anywhere, it’s good fun, it’s very healthy and good for you, and it doesn’t really cost a thing.
When people exercise, everybody has their own unique preferences in terms of which activities they enjoy, and which ones they would rather avoid.
If running is an activity you enjoy but you find that there aren’t enough hours in the day, you might want to consider getting your run out of the way nice and early in the morning.
Early morning running is very beneficial, and to prove it, here’s a look at 18 benefits.
The Benefits Of Morning Runs:
1. Beat The Rush Hour
Whether you decide to go running outdoors, or inside the gym on treadmills or running track, the chances are that if you do decide to go running at peak times when it’s busy, you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time queuing up and trying to get away from people.
One of the best benefits is the fact that because it’s so early, everybody else will be in bed still, or getting ready for the day ahead, so you won’t have to deal with large crowds.
2. Free Up The Rest Of Your Day
Another benefit that you should be aware of is the fact that running a mile a day in the morning is a great way to do something healthy and beneficial with your life and free up the rest of your day in the process.
When you run a mile a day in the morning, it’s done and out of the way then, so no matter what happens you’ve already done it so you don’t need to worry about finding the time later to get a run in.
3. Enjoy The Sunrise
One of the most magical sights you will ever experience here on Earth is the morning sunrise.
Watching the sunrise in the morning is one of life’s simple pleasures that costs nothing, and fills you with good vibes and happiness for the day.
The only downside to sunrise is the fact that it happens so early.
If you are up early for an early morning run, though, you get to enjoy one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular sights, in the form of a sunrise.
4. Great Cardiovascular Exercise
Regardless of what time you go running, one of the best things about running is the fact that it serves as such an incredible form of cardiovascular exercise.
Cardiovascular exercise is beneficial for your cardiovascular system, in that it helps strengthen the heart, reduces blood pressure, promotes weight loss, reduces your risk of heart disease, and much more besides.
If you’re looking to look after your heart, running is certainly an activity that will allow you to do exactly that.
5. Running Is Free
Another awesome benefit is the fact that running is an activity that is completely free.
Okay, if you do your running on a treadmill at the gym, or at an athletics track, then running isn’t free, but if you do your running outside, it costs you nothing.
There is no equipment needed, there are no gym fees, and there are no hidden costs.
It’s rare that you get anything for free these days, so get outdoors and take advantage.
6. See Some Amazing Sights
After many of us spent the best part of 2020 stuck at home with nothing to do, nobody to see, and nowhere to go, it’s safe to say that we’re all keen on getting outside and living life once again.
If you decide to run early, another of the many key benefits is the fact that you will see some truly amazing sights.
You’ll enjoy the sunrise, you’ll see different animals and creatures, and you can get some fresh air and go running in some stunning locations located close to you.
7. Great For Your Mental Health
Sticking with the theme of the travesty that was 2020, another of the awesome benefits is the fact that running is great for your mental health.
Last year, people’s mental health suffered greatly.
Thanks to isolation, stress, worry, a lack of human interaction, and general negativity in the air, mental health issues reached an all-time high last year, and sadly, things are not much better now.
Running is an activity that boosts endorphins and feel-good hormones which will improve your mood, help you to relax, and help you to sleep at night.
Roll all of these things together and you have the ultimate recipe for good mental health.
8. Burn Fat
Not too long ago, obesity levels worldwide peaked and reached all-time highs the likes of which health experts never imagined they’d see.
With obesity levels sky-high, people are living shorter lives, their quality of life is suffering, they are experiencing chronic health conditions, and their self-esteem is suffering as a result too.
If you want a simple, yet effective way of losing weight and burning fat, running is the ideal activity to do exactly that.
9. Great For Fasted Cardio
Sticking with the weight loss theme, another of the fantastic benefits is the fact that it is so great for fasted cardio.
Fasted cardio is basically a form of cardiovascular exercise in which people take part in a fasted state, I.E with an empty stomach.
The idea is that by doing it fast, you will fuel your workout with stored body fat, rather than calories from food.
Because you are running a mile a day in the morning, you will wake up with no food in your stomach, making it ideal for fasted cardio workouts.
10. Running Will Boost Your Productivity
If you want to start the day firing on all cylinders, both physically and mentally, running is the perfect activity to do just that.
Running will get your endorphins and adrenalin flowing, which will help make you feel more awake and alert.
On top of that, various other neurotransmitters in the body will fire into life thanks to the exercise you’re doing, which in turn will leave you feeling a great deal more focused.
11. Running Will Boost Your Metabolism
It isn’t just your productivity levels that will get a boost from running early on.
Another reason why so many people focus on the benefits is down to the fact that running has been found to boost the metabolism so much.
By running a mile a day in the morning, especially in a fast state, your metabolism will speed up, allowing you to burn more calories and generate more energy in the process.
12. No Equipment is Needed
If you do decide you want to enjoy the benefits, another awesome benefit is that running requires no specialist equipment.
Okay, you will need fitness clothing and a good pair of running shoes, but generally, you don’t need to purchase or carry any heavy or expensive equipment so you can get started right away.
13. Run At Your Own Leisure
If you decide to run outdoors, a great thing about doing so is the fact that you can run at your own leisure and do things at your own pace in your own time.
You aren’t restricted by gym opening and closing times, you don’t have to wait for equipment to become free, and you don’t have to wait for anybody else.
You simply go running at a time that suits you, at a pace that suits you.
14. Reduces Your Blood Pressure
Hypertension is often known as high blood pressure and is a condition that can potentially be fatal.
High blood pressure can increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and many more very serious illnesses and ailments.
One of the best things about running, however, is the fact that running, and other forms of cardiovascular exercise for that matter, is an activity that has been found to help lower a person’s blood pressure levels.
15. Easier To Commit To
When talking about the benefits, a benefit that people often don’t realize is that running a mile a day in the morning is very easy to commit to.
A morning run around the neighborhood, for example, requires very little travel and doesn’t require much preparation either.
It is therefore much easier to commit to than, say, a CrossFit workout downtown, yoga, or a Pilates class during rush hour.
16. The Temperature Is Usually Just Right
Okay, if you choose to do your early morning runs in the middle of winter, you might want to ignore this next benefit.
If however, you are running a mile a day in the morning during the warmer months of the year, morning temperatures are typically just right.
An early morning run is ideal because the temperature is usually not too hot, and not too cold.
The last thing you want is to be running in the sweltering heat, but at the same time, you also want to ensure that you aren’t running in freezing cold temperatures either.
The temperature early on in the morning is generally considered to be just right, which is yet another reason why we can’t overlook the many benefits.
17. You’ll Sleep Better At Night
Another fantastic benefit is the fact that you’ll sleep better at night.
Exercise is one of the best ways of ensuring you sleep at night, but running, in particular, is a great activity for people looking to improve their sleeping patterns.
Because running is so physically demanding and taxing, by the time you get to bed at night you’ll be physically exhausted which should help you to get to sleep.
On top of that, you’ll also produce endorphins such as melatonin, which helps you to feel sleepy and tired at night.
Add to that the fact that you’ll be waking up early and when the time does come for you to climb into bed, you should find yourself feeling nice and sleepy, and relaxed.
18. Get Involved With Others
If you want to go running by yourself, that’s perfectly fine.
Go ahead, lace up your running shoes, put in your headphones, crank up the volume, and away you go.
If however, you’re fed up with exercising by yourself and you would like some company, running is great.
Another of the many benefits, or the evening for that matter, is the fact that you can get involved with others.
You can run with friends, or family members, or even join a running group and run with other like-minded individuals.
After months of isolation, the prospect of being able to socialize with other people is a very appetizing one for a lot of people.
FAQ's About Running:
How Many Laps Around A Track Is A Mile?
A lap is defined as the distance traveled around a racecourse before starting again at the same point. If we take a standard racing circuit (which is oval-shaped) then a mile is equal to 1/8th of a lap. So if you were running a quarter-mile race, you would have run 8 times around the track.
Running In A Weight Vest – Is It Good For You?
Yes! Running in a weight vest is a great way to get your body moving while working out. Weight vests help tone muscles, increase endurance, and improve posture. If you're looking to lose weight, running in a weight vest will help burn calories faster than running without a weight vest.
What To Eat Before A Morning Run?
* Protein is one of the most essential macronutrients for humans. It is necessary for building muscles, repairing cells, and maintaining organs. When we exercise, our body breaks down muscle tissue to provide fuel for our bodies. In order to repair those damaged muscles, protein is needed. This is where protein bars come in handy. They are a great way to get some quick energy without having to worry about eating something heavy.
* Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the human body. They are stored in the liver and muscles and are broken down into glucose. Glucose is then transported throughout the body via the bloodstream. Carbohydrates are also needed for brain function and nerve transmission.
* Fat is the third macronutrient and provides us with energy. Most people know that fat is unhealthy, but they don't realize how good fat is actually good for them. There are two types of fats: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and have been linked to heart disease. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and are considered healthier than saturated fats. Omega-3 fatty acids are the best type of unsaturated fats and are known to help reduce inflammation in the body.
* Water is the fourth macronutrient and is what makes up over 60% of our bodies. We need water to stay alive and perform basic bodily functions. If you're dehydrated, you won't feel well and may even experience headaches.
* Fiber is the fifth macronutrient and helps keep us regular. It's present in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, and dairy products. Fiber is also helpful for digestion and elimination.
* Minerals are the sixth macronutrient and are essential for the proper functioning of the human body. Minerals are often overlooked, but they play a big role in keeping us healthy. They are found in foods like meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and legumes.
* Vitamins are the seventh macronutrient and help regulate certain processes in the body. They are essential for growth and reproduction. Vitamin A is important for vision, bone formation, and immune system function. Vitamin C is important for wound healing and collagen production. Folate is important for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation.
Final Thoughts On Running A Mile a Day:
Okay, so, you’ve decided you don’t mind getting up early in the morning and you want to start running early, but is it worth it?
In our opinion – yes.
There are many benefits of running a mile a day in the morning and if you can get over the fact that you will need to go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier, it is an activity that is well worth doing. If you want to start slower, you can start by doing morning walks instead which are beneficial as well.
