Running for Mental Health

By: Nikki Reiter

You’ve heard it before – exercise is the best medicine.  As runners we know that we feel our best when we are training and probably our worst when we go a few days without running.  Research has proven the benefits of exercise on uplifting our mood.  Eryn Jewitt works with ill and injured armed forces personnel as a Physical Exercise Specialist on the National Defense Base in Comox, British Columbia and believes that running specifically can have an effect on one’s emotional well-being.  Practically speaking, Eryn has found that prescribing running to her clients has been very successful in improving their mental health. Eryn has a Master’s of Science in Sport Psychology and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist.

The Physiological and Psychological

Exercise is often prescribed as a standalone or add-on therapy to treat anxiety and depression.  Physiologically, exercise can improve our well-being in such ways as releasing endorphins and improving our ability to ward-off illness.  However, from a psychological standpoint, running may have its advantages over other forms of exercise in improving one’s mental health.  With running being such an accessible form of physical activity, it means having the freedom to partake anytime and anywhere, and in true military style, “this leaves no room for excuses!”  Because of the simplicity of the skill of running (i.e. there are no implements or opponents to worry about) it’s a skill that many can learn to master and engage in for a lifetime.  Eryn gracefully describes running as having “a physical steadiness that facilitates the opportunity to allow the mind to wander and gain clarity.”  Clients are expected to document their mood pre- and post-run, and Jewitt has found that “it really helps them deal with everyday stresses, provides a sense of accomplishment, and helps restore a sense of perspective when completed”.

Why Simplicity is Key

It doesn’t take too much exercise to lift one’s mood, and by keeping it simple with running, individuals can set small, attainable goals, that can be built upon each session. Eryn explains that “by encouraging small improvements each session, a sense of accomplishment can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.”  She also recommends getting outside instead of hitting that treadmill, and that“getting a little sunshine can help boost your mood and the natural surroundings is often a great reminder that there is a beautiful world out there – this is especially important for those members retuning from overseas.” An added bonus for running outside is the added intensity of environmental elements that provide more of a physical and emotional challenge.

Jewitt works with many clients who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and supports all types of exercise to help reduce their stress levels and deal with tragedies they may have experienced.   With running being such a large component of physical testing for the military, she finds that using running provides “an enhanced sense of wellbeing and has a particularly beneficial effect on mental health by boosting their mood, confidence, and self-esteem.”  Eryn finds that prescribing running based around goal setting is particularly effective.  “Once they achieve a goal, it seems to directly affect their self-confidence, which can lead to an efficacious feeling.  I get a lot of feedback from clients that they are better able to focus during their trade specific tasks at work and they experience increased levels of self-confidence, which aids in coping with depression.”

Focus on the Individual

Running isn’t for everyone, though.  Eryn explains that “my philosophy as a Physical Exercise Specialist is to individualize programs because everyone has a different story and varying severity of conditions – what will work for one may not necessarily work for another.  However, overall I find a consistent positive trend when clients get fresh air and soak in all the natural beauty, especially here in B.C. as there is so much to see!”

Happy Running!

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Nikki Reiter holds a master’s degree in biomechanics and is a Mizuno Running Brand Ambassador and the Women’s Cross Country Running Head Coach at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC. She is also the Laboratory Coordinator in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at UBC Okanagan where she facilitates undergraduate laboratory learning.