More than just fitness: 10 unexpected benefits of running

Ask any runner why they keep running, and they'll tell you it helps them feel better. Running reduces anxiety and stress , lifts mood, and provides clarity. Even a short run can act like a reset button on a difficult day. Thoseendorphins are real, and sometimes a little high is all it takes to remind you: You can do this!

2. Running gives you creative ideas

Need a breakthrough? Skip the brainstorming session and go for a run. Studies show that aerobic activity promotes divergent thinking, the kind of thinking that helps solve problems in new ways. Many artists, writers, and entrepreneurs swear by their "runthink" sessions, which take their minds in fascinating directions.