How Running Can Transform Mental Health

I owe my recovery from severe OCD to running.

I’m not someone who is naturally good at it. Growing up, I dreaded having to run laps in gym class. I felt heavy and winded. Flat out — running was not something I ever wanted to do — and I never dreamed I would enjoy it.

Last November, I was feeling depressed and lethargic. My mind had become an endless wheel, spinning and spinning with intrusive thoughts. Each thought more horrifying than the previous one. I don’t know why, but I decided to run. I guess I wanted my body to move faster than my mind.

As I ran, I found a peaceful center. My body felt like it wanted to quit. Most of my mind was still spinning with OCD madness. But eventually, I stopped feeling like I wanted to quit. My mind stopped spinning. It was as if all of the suffering I was experiencing collapsed into this peaceful center. From that moment, I was hooked.

I started running several times a week. After every run, I felt good. My mind was quiet. My body, which is normally flooded with anxiety, was relaxed.

I was hesitant to write a post like this one.

I figured the positive results could fade. Or maybe I didn’t have it in me to keep up my running habit.

However, it’s been a year, and I can honestly say running changed my life.

There was a period of three weeks I couldn’t run due to an injury. During that three weeks, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. I could tell there was a marked difference in my mental health. If you have an anxiety disorder, a BFRB like trichotillomania or dermatillomania, or you have obsessive-compulsive disorder, running might be able to help you.

It may take awhile to get started. It may seem daunting. Just start off slowly. Set a goal you feel like you can accomplish, and go from there.

Don’t just run for your body. Run for your mind.