Whether swimming pools, yoga or fitness studios: Most facilities that serve sporting activities are currently closed due to corona. But that’s no reason to hang up your sports shoes, because right now jogging is considered one of the most suitable sports.
4 reasons why jogging in Corona times is a good idea
Reason 1: No contacts – you train alone
You don’t necessarily need a partner for a run. To keep things interesting, you can listen to music or podcasts through headphones.
However, you may go outside with one person from your own household. Give other walkers or athletes a wide enough berth and choose paths that aren’t overly busy, such as country lanes or areas on the outskirts of town.
Reason 2: strengthening for the immune system
Running not only trains your muscles and cardiovascular system, but also your immune system. As a result, you don’t get sick as easily. Because when you jog, you not only absorb vitamin D from the sun, you also release killer cells and lymphocytes. These are immune cells that protect us from viruses and bacteria. Regular exercise therefore contributes to protection against diseases.
However, you should not exhaust yourself too much when running, you should not jog too fast or for too long – especially if you are a beginner. This overstrains the body and triggers the opposite effect (open windows effect): the body releases more of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which reduces the production of killer cells and lymphocytes. As a result, you are more susceptible to infections after exercising. It is therefore better to train at a slow to moderate pace and increase your distances instead of wanting to crack the ten-kilometer hurdle right away.
Reason 3: Exercise as a mood booster
The current situation is not easy for many and triggers inner stress. This means that in many people, the body is currently also increasingly producing the stress hormones just mentioned. Running can help here, because at a moderate pace it reduces the release of stress hormones and helps to clear your head.
In addition, when you run, your body produces more of the hormones norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. These happiness hormones avoid mood swings and create positive feelings in you – your mood improves.
Reason 4: All you need is shoes and a step outside the front door
Since (almost) all fitness studios, swimming pools and yoga studios are currently closed, there is not much else left to do (endurance) sports. Try it, give running a chance. All you need is sports shoes and breathable clothing. Nice weather and music or podcasts can motivate, as can progress, which becomes more noticeable from time to time.
Beginners can walk briskly for 20 to 30 minutes at the beginning. Gradually, you can alternate walking and jogging slowly for about a minute, walking for a minute. However, avoid doing this training on public sports facilities, as these are currently closed. It is better to find a path that is not too crowded and has enough sunshine.
Important: Only go jogging if you feel healthy enough to do so! When you have symptoms of illness, exertion damages the body and slows recovery. In such cases, it is better to rest and inform your family doctor.
