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Why I Run – Finding Grounding with Mental Illness



Why I Run – Finding Grounding with Mental Illness

I’ve shared before how running is a coping strategy I use, but I wanted to share more about what exactly it does for me and why I do it. I want to encourage everyone to to try being physically active outdoors as a way to help manage mental illness as well as life stressors. I think there is something like running, that helps provide grounding and clarity for everyone, and I am encouraging you to figure out what that is for you.

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View 23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. @Sneakyyy0 on

    Thankyou for everything you do for those wanting to understand the illness & to those like myself who suffer from the illness themselvles. Your videos calm me down and allow me to have someone to relate too. Again, thankyou so much

  2. @tboy221 on

    i stopped running. im 46 now, guess i could run 1.5 miles a day but thats it. i ran too much in the marines. usually between 5 to 8 miles a run, with hills, about 4 times a week

  6. @mikemetague7973 on

    OMG!! Are we related, Lauren? I'm a trail running lover of 40 yrs., a runner of 45 yrs., and a 20x marathoner. Also a 53 yr. schizoaffective disorderer. Running itself is my easiest motivator. Seems you're carrying Theodore here too: extra workout good!

  10. @tucuteISU on

    Was a state qualifier in track and broke a school record in HS before I was diagnosed at 17. Continued to run throughout my journey (even running with a nurse at the hospital who did marathons, while I was being treated!) and twenty years later I still run. I agree I feel at my best when I am active. Angry that I could have run in college but couldn’t as my meds slowed me down and I just wasn’t at the level I had been before. Now I have my masters degree in library science, work as a librarian, and looking forward to running another mud run this spring! Never give up!

  12. @mariaroyval2753 on

    I went through a very difficult situation 5 years ago I was 53.I have always been physically active but I stopped becuase of the terrible situation I found myself in. I was dealing with alot of anxiety and depression at the time. I started walking about 15 minutes daily. A year later I had lost 35 pounds and I was walking 5 miles a day. I am 58 and I walk/run 5 miles a day 5 times a week. I have completed several 5K marathons and I feel better than I ever have. I still struggle with anxiety, racing thounghts and depression but I like you I find that walking/running is the only thing that keeeps me in the present moment and quiets my thoughts at least for the hour I am out in nature. It really has helped my mental and physical health. I so admire you Lauren I just found your videos and I am hooked. Thank you so much for being so open with mental illness.

  15. @Deteoni on

    So beautiful and inspiring. I dont have schizofrenia but i have strong depression, anxiety and depersonalisation, which can be overwhelming many times. Somehow it keeps me trapped in the thinking loop, trying to figure it out in the mind, believing that nothing will help and is so hard to make that step and go for a run, but once im back i always feel better and the heaviness of the mind clears (at least a bit). Thank you! ❤

  23. @ChrisW1027 on

    Nice video, Lauren. My fiancé is undiagnosed and untreated. She's more into fashion and shopping than nature but she has expressed interest in hiking, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding (but certainly not running!) I'm hoping to get her involved in each of those. She needs that grounding in the worst way.

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