You may begin running or working out to achieve your health goals, but did you know that movement benefits your mental health and well-being, too?
Millions of Americans grapple with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, according to Runner’s World. While these conditions can make it more difficult to prioritize your well-being, movement can make a difference.
Kenzie Pavlik, senior agile project manager at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), has been a runner for five years. She was inspired to hit the pavement following the boredom and anxiety she felt during the pandemic.
“I needed to move my body in a way that felt joyful and would help me work through anxiety at the time,” Pavlik said. “So, I started running with my sister.”
Pavlik said running isn’t only a form of exercise for her, it’s also a mental health tool.
“When I started running, it was a way to work through really big feelings that I didn’t know how to work through any other way,” Pavlik said. “I laced up to go on a run because it either amplified a really good feeling or helped me work through negative feelings so that I could approach the situation with a clear mind.”
As someone who used to participate in team sports, Pavlik has found reward in taking charge of her running journey.
“It was a new challenge to be my own teammate,” Pavlik said. “I had to rely on myself to do it. I’m the only who can keep my legs moving; I’m the one who has to find the strength to go on, but that’s also the beauty of it.”
Pushing herself to reach her goals, Pavlik found clarity and gratitude in the movement.
“Being grateful for the body that I have and what it can do and giving it the breaks it needs has been the biggest mental health benefit,” Pavlik said.
While anxiety and bad days are inevitable factors of life, Pavlik takes comfort in knowing she can throw on her running shoes and chase mental clarity.
When you’re struggling with your mental health, naturally occurring brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins can go bankrupt, according to Runner’s World. The ritual of running can have a positive impact on mental health with long-term practice. In fact, Hopkins Medicine says there is a near anti-depressant effect that improves brain function and elevates your mood.
BCBSNE recognizes the importance of mental health for its community and members. Visit the company’s Mental Well-Being webpage to access resources for support.
For more stories like this, visit Health and Wellness on the BCBSNE Newsroom.
