Running Sports Can Be A Solution To Overcome Mental Health Problems, But...

Running sports can be a solution to overcome mental health problems. (Photo: Doc. Running Weekends)

JAKARTA - Running sports is one way to reduce anxiety levels. The reason is, this sport can encourage the production of endorphins which make feelings happier.

This was conveyed by psychologist Farah Djalal during the #larianweekenders event in Jakarta, Sunday, June 25. "Lari can actually end anxiety because it increases the hormone endorphins that make us happy," said Farah.

The CEO and founder of HatiPlong said that physical and mental health activities are connected because a person's physical and mental condition is connected and affects each other.

"Physical and mental health is one, if we are mentally disturbed, we have started to have stomach pain, neck pain, back pain. On the other hand, if we have physical illness, we will also get mental illness," Farah added.

Although running is considered quite effective in reducing anxiety, he reminded to pay attention to each other's personal conditions related to the compatibility of mental conditions and the efforts to handle them.

"(Running sports) are quite effective, but return to yourself whether running is suitable for you, if running is even stressful, it means that it is not a suitable activity for us, so knowing ourselves is the same as what," he said, as reported by Antara.

In addition, it is not recommended to force yourself to run as far as or as long as possible, but it needs to be adjusted to the capacity and abilities of each body.

"Run is actually personal because it is therapy for each other, so, (run) as strong and sufficient. Listen to the body whenever you have to stop, the important thing is to release mental issues, so, it's up to us what we want to be," said Farah.

The mission to invite the public to be more concerned and raise collective awareness of mental health issues has made Farah and several of his colleagues initiate the #pelarianweekenders event. This event not only held running activities, but also presented a safe space in the form of venting and discussion sessions.

This activity also provides psychologists for anyone who is willing to consult, as well as hold various positive activities.

One of the initiators of #pelarianweekenders, Iman Sadeqh explained, through this movement, his party believes that people must and can find a healthy and better way to manage mental health problems.

"This time, like last year, we symbolize # our escape by running together from anywhere, with anyone, to whatever extent, with one goal. In the future, this activity will touch and bring more activities; music, arts, culinary, sports, lifestyle, fashion, and others," he explained.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Dash Sports, Alit Aryaguna, said that this activity had started in 2022 when the pandemic was still hitting Indonesia. At that time, many experienced mental health problems.

"The plan is that this activity will be held regularly every month. The concept is that anyone can participate, hopefully, they can invite people so that this activity can be bigger," said Alit.