On the run: Exercise good for physical and mental health

Rosemary Corbin likes running because it is good for her health, and not just her physical health.

“It’s therapeutic for me,” said Corbin, who is supervisor of the Access Center at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center; the staff of the Access Center conducts client intakes and assessments. “Whenever I start my running, I notice an improvement in my mood. When I’m working out, my sleep improves. I tend to make healthier choices; more so than when I’m not working out.”

Corbin, 31, is a fairly recent convert to running. She started in 2009.

“I never was really athletic; however, I have participated in Red Dog’s Dog Days for many years,” she said. “One of my friends challenged me to start running. I really liked my pizza and burgers, but I decided, OK, I’ll go ahead and do that. I got hooked.”

Sara Godinez, 44, a fellow staff member in the Bert Nash Access Center, recently started running as a way to get back to a healthier weight.

“When the New Year arrived, I was about 30 pounds heavier than I wanted to be, and I made a plan to get back to the gym. I’m not exactly sure why I started running, of all things. I was always in awe of people who could get on the treadmill and pound out the miles like they were nothing, because I have never had that kind of stamina,” Godinez said. “In January, for whatever reason, I tried doing the alternating walk/run thing. At that point, I could not run for 60 seconds without getting winded. My nephew’s wife is a runner, and I asked her how people did it. How can anyone ever get to a point where they can actually run a race? She suggested the Couch to 5K app (C25K). I tried it, and it worked. In just over two months, I ran a 5K. And it is very therapeutic for me. Really the best thing I’ve found so far, besides yoga.”

Yoga is a hugely popular practice and is a common choice for fitness fanatics and health and wellbeing newbies alike. For those who are trying to improve their posture, flexibility, and balance, yoga is what they need. Those looking for ways to build their body should probably learn how to do single arm dumbbell rows and other muscle-building workouts. Do understand that yoga is about making yourself stronger and flexible, not about musclebuilding. 

Besides that, yoga has several physical and mental health benefits, it is no secret that yoga exists in a variety of unique forms. For example, over the past few years, "yoni egg yoga" has soared in popularity. In case you were not already aware, a yoni egg is a new age crystal that can be used by women during meditation to strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscles. It is also believed that using a yoni egg has spiritual benefits for the user and helps them to reach an enhanced state of mindfulness. Moreover, some people even find that yoni eggs are a cause of excitement and mental stimulation.

Accordingly, you can find further information about the potential health-boosting benefits of both yoga and yoni eggs by doing some research online. Just remember to always speak to a doctor before trying any new-age health and wellbeing techniques as not everything is suitable for everyone.

Other than these, you can try sports as well, especially if you enjoy them immensely. Playing sports such as basketball, football, tennis, swimming, etc., you can achieve the best of your physical and mental health by enjoying a hobby that you might have neglected for a while. You can even meet people who share the same interest as you. 

Amy Warren, team leader for the Bert Nash Adult Outpatient Program, said exercise and mental health are closely linked. As an example, she cited the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change, a protocol developed by Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of psychology at the University of Kansas, which reports that exercise is a viable treatment for depression.

According to the TLC approach, depression is inversely related to activity and energy. This is why many people look to supplements to improve their energy levels and minimize the feeling of tiredness they might be experiencing. As a result, energy levels rise and the feeling of depression is suppressed. As people become more depressed, they tend to have less energy, engage in less activity, and enjoy activity less. The converse is also true, as people recover from depression their energy levels increase and they engage in more activity.

However, again, these alternative methods are not for everyone.

Corbin’s first race was supposed to be a 5K (3.1 miles). The race was canceled. She ended up running a little longer distance – a marathon.

“I ran it with my husband, Logan, and he didn’t train similarly to me,” Corbin said. “I was on pace for a pretty good time, but Logan’s body shut down at mile 16 and I didn’t want to cross the finish line without him. So the time was about an hour longer than what I wanted to do. Since then he has run multiple marathons and done very well. We run together, but he’s a lot faster than me.”

That was Corbin’s first and only marathon … so far.

“I may do the Waddell and Reed Kansas City Marathon in October,” she said. “They offer a full and a half marathon. I’m debating whether to do the full as a redemption.”

On June 7, Corbin ran in the Hospital Hill Half Marathon in Kansas City, Mo., her fourth half marathon so far this year and fourth in eight weeks.

“It rained on us the entire race; however, I finished in 2:01, which is 23 minutes better than the last time I ran the Hospital Hill, and my second fastest time for a half marathon,” Corbin said. “I was pretty happy about that.”

While Corbin likes running races, her focus is on improving her times, not so much how she places.

“That’s what I like about running, that it’s individualized; you’re competing against yourself,” she said. “It’s you versus you out there.”

And it’s good for you.