When I Run Regularly, Everything Else Starts Falling Into Place

I’m not exaggerating — the incidental benefits are astounding

I’ve seen an unusual correlation between my running routine and my overall life in general. When I am religiously following a fairly regular routine for my runs, whether in general or in preparation for a marathon, all other aspects of my life magically start to align.

And this has happened more than just a couple of times — enough for me to rule out coincidence.

How does running really have anything to do with the other aspects of my life? Surely going for a run doesn't impact my job or my personal life.

The reality is it does.

A study actually indicates that people that are into running or fitness for “quality of life” goals tend to be more successful and regular than those with more specific “health” goals.

Running here is really just a metaphor for anything that brings in significant discipline to your life, and with that discipline comes a slew of synergies.

Let me elaborate on some of them.

The Day Suddenly Has More Time

It feels counter-intuitive that adding on an activity to your daily routine would create more free time — shouldn’t it mean some of your time is blocked by that activity?

That isn’t the case. Most of the time, not having a routine is the reason why it feels like we’re constantly pressed for time.

Adding a “regular” activity to your routine, like running, will often make you realign your whole day in a way that it will ensure you have more time at your hands — here’s how:

You will wake up earlier to go for that early morning run.
If you’re an evening person, you’ll need to carve out time after work/your usual activities, which will push you to be more efficient during the day to ensure nothing else suffers.
The habit of following a running routine will make you value your time a lot more, and you’ll find yourself allocating time to other activities around the goal of running. For example, the times when I am on a running regimen, I get up early, go for a run, have a healthy breakfast, and yet I am ready for a full Sunday by 9 am, having already achieved so much in the day.

Procrastination Turns Into a “Let’s Get It Done” Attitude

I am admittedly a pro at procrastinating. If the world isn’t ending today or someone isn't dying, I am more than likely to delay a task that can be delayed.

This also comes from the lack of “responsibility” of not having a fixed routine. When I am on a schedule, I tend to structure everything else much better and end up getting things done.

For the numerous tasks that involve getting out of the house and hence keep getting delayed, now I have an excuse.

If I need to grab some groceries, or drop the courier to the nearby FedEx, or get some supplies to fix the leak in the plumbing, my run is a motivation to also complete some of these errands while I am out for my run.

The fact that you get yourself out of bed and out of the house with a “doer” attitude, you can end up acting on other responsibilities beyond the running as well.

Energy Levels Go Up and Your Diet Is Healthier

Multiple studies indicate that “Sedentary people who completed a regular exercise program reported improved fatigue compared to groups that did not exercise.” And, “The results show that regular exercise increases energy and reduces fatigue.”

That energy stays with you throughout the day, and hence your productivity across other tasks gets a natural boost. The number of times I’ve gotten a compliment on “how fresh I look” in the morning when I’ve headed to work after a run is definitely not a coincidence.

In addition, when I am not working out, I feel guilty eating too much and end up missing out on some important nutrients. On a regular exercise routine, however, I pay more attention to what I eat and how much I eat — ensuring a much more balanced diet.

Running gives me an excuse and a reason to not just pay more attention to what I eat but also the license to eat a bit extra — which is sometimes not a bad thing.

Short-Term Goals Add Excitement to the Mundane

I am most often on a schedule when I am preparing for a marathon. Often, daily personal and professional life starts to get boring.

The human mind is designed to crave for “short-term goals” and “instant gratification.” So the fact that I have something to look forward to — get to a faster pace per mile, run a longer distance each day, or shave off a couple of minutes from my next 10k run — these little goals keep me motivated and provide a boost to my overall outlook.

Don’t we all find ourselves guilty of having “new year resolutions” that we never get around to? Most often, with many of my colleagues, the resolutions are around fitness and routines. These seem the easiest to achieve and the most beneficial — yet like most disciplined activities they’re hard to achieve.

You’re Much Better-Rested Than Usual

Another counter-intuitive point is that running regularly helps you get better sleep and feel much more well-rested than before.

Research indicates that physical/aerobic exercise helps decrease sleep complaints and insomnia in patients and can have the same effect as sleeping pills.

Better and more sound sleep then makes you feel more fresh and relaxed during the day allowing you to be highly productive. This also ensures you’re not easily flustered by difficult situations and are in a much better headspace to handle them effectively.

Lack of rest is often a huge reason for a significant increase in errors that a person usually makes. Research indicates that a sleep-deprived person is at double or triple the risk of making an error vs. a well-rested person, and some of these errors, e.g., when driving, can even be fatal.

Summarizing the Takeaways

Discipline & Efficiency — Running puts a schedule around your day and makes you feel like there’s more time at hand.
From “Later” to “Now’ — You tend to be more of a doer than a procrastinator from a simple shift in mindset.
Higher Energy & Healthier Intake — Energy levels go up with a regular workout routine and also unconsciously pushes you towards a more wholesome and nutritious diet when you’re focused on health in general.
Goal-Setting Mindset — Most running regimens come with certain short term targets you set for yourself. This helps you feel more motivated and brings in some excitement to the otherwise mundane regular life.
Rested Mind & Body — Better sleep quality as a result of regular working out means your mind and body are better rested enhancing your overall focus and well-being significantly.

There are numerous other benefits related to running on the general physical condition which has been well addressed and documented and that I won’t delve into. However, running or incorporating some form of physical exercise as a regular routine into your schedule will definitely have an impact on all other aspects of your life as well.