With the pandemic ongoing, many people have shifted their ways of performing physical activities and exercising to keep active.
Just like many others, you might be restricted to exercise due to gym closure and indoor restrictions or guidelines. So how can you embrace it? The restrictions have led many people to embrace running as a new exercise in their routine.
Running is the most straightforward way to get the important benefits of exercise especially during a pandemic. It is a form of cardio exercise that is easily accessible, you can just put on a pair of running shoes and head out to run around your area.
More importantly, here are the benefits of what running can do for you during the pandemic:
1. Running gets our antibodies flowing
As our heart starts pumping during a run, the increase in blood flow helps to speed up the circulation of White Blood Cells. This helps to strengthen our immune system as it may help to detect illness sooner and quicken our immune responses to viruses.
2. Jogging Boosts Your Mood – can decrease the odds of depression!
In times such as this, where we are forced to be home isolating and limiting social interaction, it may take a toll on our mood which can lead to anxiety and depression.
Thus, running is a good solution as it can help secrete hormones that naturally improve your mood throughout the day. Even a short run can leave you feeling more energized, focused, and better to enjoy all that life has to offer.
3. Helps You Maintain a Healthy Weight!
Running is one of the best forms of exercise for losing or maintaining a consistent weight. You will find it as an effective way to burn off extra calories.
Importantly, running helps to contribute to overall good health, where it strengthens our cardiovascular system, improves lung function, and maintains healthy body weight.
Safety first: Is it safe to run outside?
The answer is ‘YES’. However, there are some things you should be aware of and prepare to enjoy your runs.
Importantly, running alone is still the best way to reduce your risks of contracting the virus and breaking the SOP compliance. So go out for a solo run, enjoy the outdoors, and try timing your run for when you know you’re familiar with the route or trail that is less crowded.
Here is how you can get started with running during the pandemic:
1. If you are new to running, start with brisk walking. Aim for 30 minutes each session. Allow yourself a minimum of six weeks to build up from brisk walk to regular running, then, slowly increase your time each week as you find it easier.
2. Before each run, be sure to warm up and stretch your body and to cool your body down with light stretching after you are done. This will help you avoid any muscle tension or strain.
3. Be sure to have plenty of fluid and take a bottle with you on your run if possible. It is important to drink plenty of water before, during, and after any activities. You may also opt for drinks with amino acids such as aminoVITAL®, as it provides energy for endurance activities.
Supplementing BCAAs before, during, and after your runs gives the body energy to move longer and reduce further muscle damage. With 3,000mg of amino acids, mainly BCAAs, aminoVITAL® helps improve performance and enhance muscle recovery for people who run or take part in any endurance sports for a better sporting performance and recovery!
4. Avoid running during peak hours and maintain social distance when you are out running. Try scheduling your runs either early in the morning or evening where there are lesser people. Be sure to follow the SOP guidelines as well.
5. Cross-train. By doing so, it keeps you motivated and excited to be active and not be bored solely by doing one exercise. This can help reduce the stress on joints and spine after running too much.
Needlessly, if you are new to running, take it easy and don’t jump into marathon-level runs, instead, run 2-4 times each week to build your stamina and maintain it as part of your routine.
Meanwhile, keep in mind the little factors that may affect your safety and performance in your runs long term. For instance, investing in proper running shoes, performing muscle-activation warm-ups, and consuming the right liquids ie. aminoVITAL® during your short or long runs.
It is important to refuel and recover your body to reduce muscle soreness and get you ready for your next run. Thus, drinking aminoVITAL® allows quick recovery from fatigue, reduces muscle soreness, and averts metabolic syndrome, which is ideal for runners! It is now available on Shopee and Lazada.
To find out more about aminoVITAL®, head to their –
Facebook : www.facebook.com/myaminovital or
Website : https://www.ajinomoto.com.my/brands/retail-product/aminovital
