Overview

Many runners say they run because it relaxes them or elevates their mood. But few know why running does this, or that exercise science is beginning to reveal ways to enhance running's mental health benefits. They just go out and run. Science shows that running can mimic the effects of many common treatments for depression, and/or make success with a given treatment more likely-be it talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation and mindfulness, or anti-depressants. Running can also steer runners in the direction of a happier and more fulfilling way of life, encouraging social connections, a sense of purpose, healthy diet and sleep choices, decreased use of controlled substances, and more. Running can do all this, that is, but it's not quite as simple as just going out for a run. Lifelong runner and veteran running journalist Scott Douglas shows that there are ways for runners to optimise the mood-boosting power of their sport. Douglas guides readers through the methods proven to maximise running's mental health benefits, from proper pace and distances to choosing optimal surroundings and personal routines. Through a combination of reported science, anecdote, and expert advice, he recounts how running has helped him and others battle depression and anxiety, improve mental health, and more fully enjoy life.

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9781615194445

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Reviews

[One of] this spring's best new running books. --Outside Douglas weaves evidence and personal experience into a helpful, highly-readable user's guide. --Amby Burfoot, Runner's World writer-at-large and 1968 Boston Marathon champion It's a great read for anyone interested in the links between exercise, mood, and wellbeing--plenty of clearly presented science, plenty of hard-earned practical experience, and some intriguing suggestions about why running is uniquely powerful compared to other forms of exercise. --Alex Hutchinson, New York Times-bestselling author of Endure Everyone who cares about mental health needs to read Running Is My Therapy. Scott Douglas lays out all the evidence for running as an effective intervention for depression and anxiety in a way that's both inspiring and practical. --Sepideh Saremi, LCSW, founder of Run Walk Talk therapy Scott describes depression as if he were in my own head. Through personal experience and scientific research, he expertly addresses how depression uniquely impacts each one of us, and he inspires readers to harness the mental-health benefits of running to make it out the front door. --Rob Krar, two-time Western States Endurance Run champion, founder, Rob Krar Ultra Camp

Everyone who cares about mental health needs to read Running Is My Therapy. Scott Douglas lays out all the evidence for running as an effective intervention for depression and anxiety in a way that's both inspiring and practical. --Sepideh Saremi, LCSW, founder of Run Walk Talk therapy Scott describes depression as if he were in my own head. Through personal experience and scientific research, he expertly addresses how depression uniquely impacts each one of us, and he inspires readers to harness the mental-health benefits of running to make it out the front door. --Rob Krar, two-time Western States Endurance Run champion, founder, Rob Krar Ultra Camp

Douglas weaves evidence and personal experience into a helpful, highly-readable user's guide. --Runner's World [One of] this spring's best new running books. --Outside Mental health is very important and I encourage others to avail themselves of this excellent book, and of course to keep running! --Meb Keflezighi, Boston and New York City Marathon champion, Olympic Marathon sliver medalist An enlightening read. --Women's Running A great read for anyone interested in the links between exercise, mood, and wellbeing--plenty of clearly presented science, plenty of hard-earned practical experience, and some intriguing suggestions about why running is uniquely powerful compared to other forms of exercise. --Alex Hutchinson, New York Times-bestselling author of Endure Everyone who cares about mental health needs to read Running Is My Therapy. Scott Douglas lays out all the evidence for running as an effective intervention for depression and anxiety in a way that's both inspiring and practical. --Sepideh Saremi, LCSW, founder of Run Walk Talk therapy Scott describes depression as if he were in my own head. Through personal experience and scientific research, he expertly addresses how depression uniquely impacts each one of us, and he inspires readers to harness the mental-health benefits of running to make it out the front door. --Rob Krar, two-time Western States Endurance Run champion, founder, Rob Krar Ultra Camp

Author Information

Scott Douglas is senior content editor for Runner's World. He is the author or coauthor of eight books, including the New York Times bestseller MEB FOR MORTALS and ADVANCED MARATHONING. He has written about running for Slate, The Atlantic, Washington Post, and other mainstream outlets. Scott has run more than 100,000 miles since taking up the sport in 1979. He lives in South Portland, Maine.

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