Marathon is quite often a group activity. Something people enjoy engaging in with their family or friends. Whether it is simply for fun or to achieve a higher purpose or a goal, the enjoyment is certainly greater when shared with others. 

Preparing For A Marathon

Participation in a marathon should not be taken lightly. One must prepare themselves according to the somewhat rigorous but still effective training program. Of course, depending on the marathon itself, many of which you might not even qualify for unless you can endure certain physical challenges and have the ability to complete them within a specified time.

Runners, both novices and veterans, train to get fit for a marathon they have chosen to run. But, have you thought how much the actual training and the preparation for that marathon contribute towards your physical and mental health wellbeing? Let’s just say, enormously! It is a well-known fact that physical exercise greatly stimulates your mental health.

Undeniable Benefits of Group Training

Whilst you are free to train on your own, it is highly recommended that you undertake some form of group training. The benefits of preparing with fellow runners are many. To better understand these benefits, the irrefutable connection between physical activity and mental health must be emphasized first.

Mental Health and Physical Activity

The advantages of exercise are often misunderstood or not adequately understood. The vast benefits derived from regular exercise or physical activity are not only physical. They are just as much mental. Engaging in regular physical exercise has been proven to impact our mood, stress levels as well as self-esteem.

How it Affects the Mood

You may think that reading a book would be more relaxing for the mind and soul than, for instance, cleaning your house. However, this is not the case. Research has shown that after any form of physical activity, be it exercise or housework, people become more content, awake, and even calmer. This is especially true if their mood level before doing any physical activity was quite low.

Effect on Stress Levels

The same applies to our stress levels. Through regular exercise, we reduce our stress levels. Our body releases specific hormones which assist in reducing our stress levels and help us deal with day-to-day matters more adequately. Our heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline, and blood flow are regulated which in turn reduces anxiety and tension.

Impact on Self Esteem

How we perceive ourselves and our self-worth has a lot to do with our confidence. Whether we have positive self-esteem or not is a great indicator of the status of our mental well-being. With physical activity such as exercise, we tend to improve our body image and thus increase our self-esteem. This is only one of many examples of how physical activity may impact our perception of ourselves and our self-worth.

How Group Training Contributes to Mental Well Being

Now that we have established the connection between mental health and physical activity, it is time to expose the true benefits of group training relating to the same. The nature of marathons is to build a community but also raise awareness of diversity and inclusivity. This is precisely why the so-called “regular” participants, those not of a professional background, tend to partake in this activity. They become part of a positive and encouraging community that often engages in charitable work.

Motivation

Anything that you decide to pursue normally comes from the motivation to do so. However, motivation is never simple. As such, deciding upon a group activity such as running a marathon with your friends or family can increase your motivation. You will be more inclined to accept the challenge and, of course, commence physical and mental preparation by training together as a group. The positive and fun environment will certainly alter your mental state and thus well-being.

Support

It is never easy to maintain continuity when it comes to any sort of physical training or exercise. However, with the support of your peers, you are more likely to push your limits, and the more you do so, the more you will realize how your mood, stress levels, and self-esteem are all improving.

Since the connection between mental health and physical activity is proven, why not get involved in group training in preparation for a marathon? It is bound to produce better results both physically and mentally. You will have all of the essentials: motivation, support, and diversity. Your mind and body will thank you for it!