How Running Helped Me Cope with Anxiety

Anyone who has suffered from anxiety understands how debilitating it can be. Panic attacks take over your entire body, making you feel as though you are going to die – it is not a pleasant experience. The physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, rapid heartbeat, nausea, are all uncomfortable and draining.

My running journey started as I was informed many times about the benefits of exercise for your mental health, but the thought of joining a gym on my own, after years of not going to a gym, made my anxiety worse. So, instead, I thought about running. I will admit that I had always admired people who I saw jogging as I passed then by in my car, or as I walked my dog; I always thought it looked liberating. So, one day after talking to my sister who was an avid runner, I decided to join her one day.  

And that one day extended to a full year, which included my first half marathon in 2021. 

The first time I ventured out for a run with my sister, I felt incredibly anxious – what if I looked stupid? What if I couldn’t manage it? What if I tripped? Every bad thought in my brain had come together to try and convince me that I was going to fail – but once I had finished my first run, I truly felt as though I had achieved something, and this is how my love for running began. 

Running became a form of therapy for me; if I ever felt over-whelmed, upset, or if my mind was going one hundred miles an hour, or if my body was experiencing a surge of nervous/hyper energy, I would simply slip on my leggings and my waterproof jacket and hit the pavement. It seemed that once I returned home from a run, whether it was long or short, fast, or slow, I always felt as though a weight had been lifted. I could think differently about my problems, usually in a productive, positive way and my anxious physical sensations had ceased. 

I have never felt as though I had a particular ‘thing’ I was good at, and although I wasn’t Olympic medal running worthy, it didn’t dishearten me - because it wasn’t ever about becoming the best or winning or even medals; it was about achieving something much more valuable. Not only did running help my mental well-being, but also my physical health improved; I lost weight, I felt stronger and happier in myself than I had in a very long time. 

Running allowed me to find something I was good at in my own way, I found a productive way to deal with my anxiety, and I found myself much happier because of it. I smashed all my own goals, from running my first 5k, to a 10k to 10 miles, to a half marathon and I did it on my own volition. I do still struggle with anxiety on occasion, running is by no means a “cure” but now I know of a way I can deal with my anxiety in a positive way and although not every run is my best run, it doesn’t matter – what matters is I ran, I got out of bed, I got up off the couch and I ran. 

And my mind and body are much better for it.