Running to Overcome Anxiety

This is a guest post by a friend I met on a blogging Facebook group, who blogs about running and faith and mental health at RunningForWellness.com. Lauren is all about running to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and incorporates talk therapy and medication into her life too. Today she shares her journey of becoming a runner and how that changed her life:

Early Days

During my childhood, I was an excessive worrier. It was my normal – I thought everyone felt this way. I remember worrying so much in 1st grade that I would get physically sick to my stomach and have to go to the nurse’s office on a regular basis.

When I was in 6th grade, I was bullied repeatedly for being shy by a group of older boys. I was teased and tormented on a regular basis. Although I don’t remember exactly what they said, I’ll never forget how they made me feel – like I was an outcast, unaccepted, and totally worthless. The wounds from cruel words can cut much deeper than physical ones, and the scars can last forever. I hid this from everyone because I didn’t want to be a burden, and unfortunately at the time I believed everything they were saying. They were the cool kids and I wasn’t, so they must have been right.

I began to struggle with social situations and my self-esteem. Throughout the rest of middle and high school, I withdrew from most of my friends and began to isolate myself. I felt like my true self was trapped inside an iron box, but I felt powerless and paralyzed. I felt like everyone was against me, and that I couldn’t truly be myself because I would never be accepted.

I didn’t realize that help was available when I was young, or that anything was even wrong. When I brought this situation up to people, I often heard, just get over it, you’re just shy. It was brushed off as nothing. On the outside, I looked normal, but on the inside only I knew the extent of the pain I was experiencing.

The Turnaround

After things intensified later, I finally began to seek therapy when I was 28 years old. It took a few tries to find a therapist that I felt really comfortable with. Once I found the right therapist, she validated my condition. I was diagnosed with anxiety, which is something that deep down I expected all along.

I very much benefitted from therapy. It changed my perspective about myself and the world. I grew so much and learned strategies and coping skills to deal with the racing thoughts and negative beliefs about myself. I also eventually started taking medication.

The mix of therapy and medication made a huge difference for me. After I started taking the medication, the social anxiety dissipated. I realized that it had been much worse than I ever realized. It was amazing how I felt like a brand new person. I could finally be myself! I also found a new coping skill that made a huge difference for me: running.

The Race

I decided to sign up for a 5k in early 2014 as I was trying to get in shape for my wedding. I didn’t expect much because I had always hated running. I didn’t expect that running would change my life!

As I ran across the finish line of that first 5k, exhausted and completely out of breath, I let out a huge sigh of relief. I did it. I just finished my first 5k. I had never been a runner and I struggled even just to get here. But I pushed myself to try something new and I’m so glad I did. I couldn’t help but tear up after the race knowing how hard I had worked to get here.

And there was this exhilarating feeling that overwhelmed me. A feeling of euphoria like I could take on the world. A feeling like nothing could stop me.

This was my first taste of running. And I couldn’t wait for more.

Running for Wellness

After I ran that first race, I quickly realized how great running made me feel. After a good run, the worries in my head went silent. Running made me feel calm and less anxious.

This made me really wonder…why is running good for your mental health? It turns out that running increases concentrations of norepinephrine in the body, a chemical that helps moderate the body’s response to stress.

Running can control stress and improve the body’s ability to deal with mental tension. The chemicals released during and after runs can help people with anxiety feel calmer.

It’s really amazing that running can provide relief that is scientifically proven to help you feel better! This is what I love most about running!

If you struggle with your mental health, you should know that you are not alone. Seek support when you need it. Life is too short to suffer in silence.

Happy Running!

Lauren is an RRCA Certified Running Coach, Mental Health Advocate, Speaker, Blogger, wife, and working mom. Lauren is the Owner and Founder of Running for Wellness, LLC. Lauren coaches new runners, blogs about running and mental health, and volunteers at NAMI Keystone PA as a Mental Health Speaker and Family Support Group Facilitator.

This post was included in this week’s blog link up for Grace & Truth