Running is one of the most hassle-free sports that can provide many benefits. It requires minimal equipment, making it accessible to all. Simply don comfortable attire and shoes to begin your running journey.
Benefits of running
In general, running provides a variety of health benefits, such as:
- Helps increase bone strength
- Strengthens muscles
- Improves cardiovascular fitness
- Burns calories thereby helping to lose weight
- Helps maintain ideal body weight
- Improves mental health, confidence and quality of life
Read more: Running Sports: How To Beginner So As Not To Injure?
Benefits of running in the morning
Some people have enough time to start their day by exercising in the morning. Running in the morning itself provides various benefits and advantages, such as:
- The air is fresher in the morning so running can be a fun exercise
- Running in the sunshine can provide a safer feeling than running at night
- Morning exercise can provide a boost of energy to start the day and act as a mood booster
- Improves sleep quality at night
Benefits of running at night
Some people choose to run at night because of their busy schedules and busy mornings. Running at night provides several advantages and benefits such as:
- Can provide a relaxing and stress-relieving effect after a stressful day
- Helps promote better quality sleep
- Provides more flexible exercise time
- Freedom from worrying about weight gain as calories are burned off from running at night
- Muscles and joints tend to be more flexible and less stiff than after waking up in the morning so you feel more ready to run
Read more: How To Prevent Tumit Pain After Running Exercise
Which hour is best for running, morning or evening?
Running is beneficial to one's health whether done in the morning or at night. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding whether to exercise. Exercising in the morning may create a more secure and comfortable feeling than exercising in the evening. Sunlight improves vision and makes your eyes and ears more alert and aware of your surroundings than at night.
Running in the morning also helps you pay attention to traffic and avoid automobiles that pass by in the morning.
Furthermore, the study discovered that air quality deteriorates in the afternoon and peaks between 9 pm and 11 pm, with greater levels of PM2.5. Particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or smaller may penetrate the respiratory tract.
If you only have time to run at night, choose a safe and low-pollution route, check the air quality before you go, use a protective mask to decrease your exposure to air pollution particles, and consider exercising at a gym instead.
Before starting running, it's a good idea to consult a doctor through the Ai Care application, especially if you have excess weight, obesity or other health conditions. Applications can be downloaded on your cellphone via the Play Store or App Store.
Looking for more tips and tricks for health, first aid, and other home treatments? Click here!
- dr. Yuliana Inosensia
Scott Frothingham (2019). Is It Better to Go Running in the Morning?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/running-in-the-morning
Emily Cronkleton (2020). 11 Tips and Benefits for Running at Night. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/running-at-night
Nature Geoscience (2023). Night-time clues to pollution. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01157-8
Better Health Channel. Running and jogging - health benefits. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/running-and-jogging-health-benefits#about-running-and-jogging
Department of Health New York State (2018). Fine Particles (PM 2.5) Questions and Answers. Available from: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm
