Running Sports Is Very Useful In Lowering Someone's Anxiety Level

Running exercise is one of the physical activities that can reduce a person's anxiety levels. (Between/Muhammad Iqbal)

JAKARTA - Psychologist from online consulting service provider HatiPlong, Farah Djalal, PhD, said running is beneficial for reducing levels of anxiety because it can encourage the production of endorphins which make feelings happier.

"Lari can actually end anxiety because it increases the hormone endorphins that make us happy," said Farah when met at the Kick Off event #PELARIANWEEKENDERS in Jakarta as reported by Antara, Sunday.

Physical activity and mental health 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," said Farah added.

Running sports are considered quite effective in reducing anxiety, however, 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," said the CEO and founder of HatiPlong.

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.

"It's actually personal because it's therapy for each other, so, (run) as strong and sufficient. Listen to the agency when 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.

In addition to running, activities that can be done to relieve anxiety and other mental problems include carrying out hobbies, listening to music, chatting with friends, or taking a break from everyday routines.

Farah reminded to be aware of signs of mental problems that include sleep difficulties, lack of appetite, being reluctant to meet many people and doing work, as well as a more sensitive emotional condition.

He appealed to the public not to wait until anxiety comes to start a sports routine and not to wait for mental health problems to worsen to seek professional psychologist assistance.