Article written by: Pascale Tsai, 2nd year Psychology Specialist and Neuroscience Major
Edited by: Jina Aryaan
Running is a great way to relieve stress and give your mind time to rest after many hours of classes and studying. Motivating yourself to go for your first run isn’t necessarily easy, but you’ll definitely be thanking yourself after you take this first step.
Here are 6 tips to get you started and keep you interested in running for good:
1. Start slow. If you don’t want to run outside because you don’t know a good path in your campus area, or you’re not sure how long you can run for, start on the treadmill at an incline. It’s a good way to simulate running outside, and will amp up your body’s ability to deal with increased stress on the heart.
2. Budget your time. A good run depends on however long you want to run for. Sometimes, this can mean time that you just don’t have as a university/college student. If you can’t find the time to run every day, try setting a schedule for the days that you do. Plan how far you think you’ll run and how much time it may take.
3. Have the right shoes. If you’re just starting out, you probably don’t have the best running shoes. Still, do not start out running in flat, unsupportive shoes. Buy some shoes that provide the comfort you need for your jog – Runner’s World has some great tips for finding the right shoes for you.
4. Plan well. Know where you want to run, and know what you’re bringing with you, to suit the weather and your personal needs. Having a plan will help you keep your goal in mind as you run, so you can feel even better about finishing in the end.
5. Warm up and cool down. Do some stretching and walk a little before you start running. Different people run better at different times of day, but it’s not a great idea to run if you’re exhausted right after class. Make sure you’re ready to complete your run, and give yourself time afterwards to walk it off and cool down.
6. Have fun and explore your options. Running might not be the exercise for you – I know some people that hate running, but have an aptitude for competitive swimming or weightlifting. If you don’t think running is the type of fitness challenge or stress reliever that you want to take on, try something else. Find an exercise that works for you, and stick to it. When you feel good, you’ll do good!