Caution: Excessive running can harm your health

Running as a way to escape negative emotions is often perceived as a useful strategy for improving overall well-being. However, recent research suggests that this approach can have unintended consequences and potentially exacerbate feelings of well-being.

The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, using running as an escape to overcome negative emotions and how this can lead to exercise addiction and a reduced overall sense of well-being.

At first glance, running seems like a promising solution for individuals who want to get rid of negative emotions. Engaging in physical activities such as running can trigger the release of endorphins, often referred to as “feel-good” hormones. These endorphins contribute to a temporary mood lift., Provides a sense of relief from emotional distress.

During the study, nearly 230 runners of all levels completed questionnaires about why they were running. Participants were asked if they felt that running helped them learn new things about themselves or if they felt more open to new experiences and perspectives.

The researchers found that running to suppress negative emotions was strongly associated with exercise addiction and decreased subjective well-being.

It is very important to realize that running alone cannot solve root causes of emotional suffering. Negative emotions are often caused by underlying psychological or emotional problems that require attention and resolution.

Over-reliance on running as an emotional escape can inadvertently lead to an unhealthy obsession with the activity itself. This obsession with running can negatively impact overall well-being by turning a positive outlet into a source of stress and pressure.

“You are doing something that is good for your physical health but is actually ruining your mental health,” Dr. Frode Stenseng, study author and professor of psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

In future work, Stenseng hopes to explore more concretely how much exercise addiction affects well-being and how to change the mindset in seeking that escape.