by Eliza Sterling

[[]]

One inspiring mother, activist, and public figure shares her personal journey with running and how it became her preferred method of therapy.

Post suffering from severe burn injuries and a critical time in ICU, she was at the very bottom of her physical fitness peak. Living alone and isolated, she felt the alarming lack of confidence within herself. The concept of the gym was daunting, thus she decided to try running- a sport where she wouldn’t have to interact with anyone.

She started her fitness routine by walking four kilometers from her home to work. This soon morphed into a mix of walking and running, until one day, she found herself running constantly just like the character from the famed movie, Forest Gump. Shortly after grasping the ropes of running, she was prepared to participate in local running events and even marathons.

Running benefitted her in a multitude of ways. Firstly, it helped her recover from her sustained injuries, improving her blood circulation, lung capacity, and even her skin. Moreover, it gave her the desired energy and stamina, at a time when her career was soaring high. She noticed an enhancement in her overall discipline in life; she organized her time better and even started curbing bad habits.

Furthermore, she experienced mental comfort and catharsis through running. It became her therapy and in her words, “it made me a better person”. Moreover, her favourite energizer was running and perspiring, which she viewed as her “stillness” in the chaos of life.

She recently took part in the 10k London marathon post lockdown, surrounded by a buzzing atmosphere filled with cheer and hope. Everyone used a new wellness tool to channel their mental health, which was deeply significant post the lockdown period. Running amongst other burn victims, she noticed the increased participation in behalf of mental health and domestic violence charities.

The event was special because running signified the ultimate freedom. After nearly a year and a half of strict social restrictions, it was liberating to see people running freely with joy. The volunteers were brimming with energy and ready to assist at every step. This sight was enough to restore faith in society’s goodness.

The wellness tool used by the participants was the Mind Uplifter, a unique tool that assesses mood and cognitive benefits provided by exercise. Before starting the activity, your face is scanned, and you’re required to answer some questions about your feelings. The process is repeated post-exercise, to track your improved mood and mental state. Our inspiring runner revealed the tool was surprisingly accurate for her, indicating she was stressed prior to the run and achieving a state of calm and balance afterwards.

She believes, often, people focus on the physical benefits of running like weight loss or competition rather than its mental health benefits. However, running brings joy, a boost in mental health, a change of scenery, and a holiday from family. The tool perfectly embodies this idea by providing access to therapy through movement.

To those newly venturing into this territory, she has some advice. Running is a sport without discrimination. It’s free, it belongs to everyone, and everyone has the right to use it. Start small and gradually increase your distance. Doing this will create a snowball effect and your interest in running will only escalate. For practicality’s sake, invest in good running shoes and socks!

Running can be seen as a testament to the mind-body connection. The act of running not only uplifts your physical state but your mental state as well. A community of runners is inviting you to join their journey of mental uplift. All it takes is lacing up your running shoes and taking the first step.

running, therapy, mental health, fitness, mind-body connection, therapeutic running, wellness