Mindfulness is the art of keeping your mind in the present. You’re not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, but rather focusing on what you’re doing, whether it’s eating a meal, running on a trail, or writing an email. Mindful running is reminding yourself that you’re in control of your thoughts and your body as you’re running.
How Can Mindfulness Benefit Runners?
For runners, being mindful means paying attention to how their physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions are responding to running, and how they’re all connected. Runners like to advise each other, “Run the mile you’re in.” Mindfulness is doing just that—staying focused on your run, your movements, your body, and your thoughts.
Mindfulness can help runners concentrate on the body’s sensations that you can control, such as your running form and breathing.
Rather than focusing on what’s hurting or how many miles you have left to run, you concentrate on where the body is. You can focus on taking deep breaths, maintaining good running form, or improving your stride turnover.
Like meditation or rhythmic breathing that is usually practiced while in a seated position, being mindful while running can help focus your mind, and reduce physical tension.
At least one study has shown that the combination of meditation and physical exercise significantly improved symptoms in depressive patients. Even study participants without a diagnosis of depression also reported a decrease in ruminative thoughts, anxiety, and an overall improvement in motivation.
How to Add Mindfulness to Your Runs
Being more mindful while you’re running may seem difficult at first, especially if you’re the type of runner who’s accustomed to using disassociation (thinking outside the body) to distract yourself during runs. But, if you keep at it, you can really reap the benefits of mindfulness both in your running and other aspects of your life. Here are some ways you can stay in the present during your runs.
Run Outside
It’s easier to practice mindfulness when you’re running outdoors. You’ll give your senses many more opportunities to connect. Trails are an ideal place to practice mindful running, as it’s essential to be aware of what you’re doing, focus on the terrain, and avoid falling. There’s also a lot of natural beauty to observe when running on trails.
Leave Your Headphones at Home
While listening to music can be beneficial for some runs, if you want to practice mindfulness, you’ll want to avoid the distraction of music. You’ll find it much easier to focus and connect with your surroundings and thoughts.
Practice Visualization Techniques
Before your run, take a few moments to visualize yourself running with ease, grace, and strength. See yourself overcoming any challenges that come your way. Visualizing success primes your mind for a focused and positive run, allowing you to tap into your true potential.
Do Some Pre-Run Deep Breathing
Practice deep belly breathing before you head out for your run. It will help you relax and focus on getting ready to run. Breathe in deeply through the nose and out through the mouth. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly, to ensure that your diaphragm (not your chest) inflates with air.
Do five to six deep breaths before starting your run. You can do them right after doing some pre-run warm-up exercises.
Start Slowly and Pay Attention to Your Body
Notice how your breathing rate is changing. Feel your heart beating and the rhythm of your feet bouncing on the ground. If you feel your mind wandering away from being present in the moment, focus on your breathing. Feel your body start to warm up as you keep moving.
How do your muscles feel? How do your arms feel? How do your legs feel? How’s your running form? Notice if you’re tensing up any parts of your body unnecessarily.
Pay attention to any tightness you may be feeling. Just observe it and be aware of it. You don’t need to make an effort to get rid of it. You may discover that simply the act of making yourself aware of tension will help naturally release it.
Notice How Your Mind Responds
Turn your focus to your feelings and thoughts. Are you feeling pleasure for getting a break and some time to yourself? Do you feel grateful for being healthy enough to run? What about your thoughts? Are you thinking about your lengthy to-do list? Are you re-playing a recent conversation with a friend in your head? Is the physical activity comforting to you?
Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Enjoy feeling the wind blow against your face. Notice the sights and sounds around you. Don’t try to take in everything around you, but focus on some specific things, like the vibrant color of leaves or flowers or a building’s architectural detail.
Look for things that grab your attention or something you may not have noticed before on your familiar route.
Focus on Your Foot Strike
Concentrate on the sensation of your foot hitting the ground. Hearing the rhythm of your foot strikes can be very relaxing. Try to run lightly with quick steps. Think to yourself, “Light on my feet, light on my feet.”
Focus on gliding over the ground, not plodding. Make sure your feet are landing under your hips, not in front of you, so you’re not overstriding.
Notice Your Breathing
As you take each step, bring your awareness to the rhythm of your breathing. Feel the inhale and exhale as it flows through your body, grounding you in the present moment. By directing your attention to your breath, you create a mental anchor that helps you stay focused and centered.
Pay Attention to Pain or Discomfort
It’s okay to make yourself aware of pain. Think about whether or not the pain or discomfort means you need to stop or slow down, or whether you should just keep doing what you’re doing. Experienced runners learn to run with some discomfort. If you’re newer to running, you may want to stop when you’re uncomfortable and gradually build up your endurance.
Focus on How You Feel When You Finish
When you end your run, think about how your feelings and thoughts have changed. Scan through your body, pay attention to sensations, and notice any physical differences. Are you sweating? Are you thirsty? Do you feel warm? Do you feel more relaxed? Did you get rid of any tightness you felt before your run? Do some post-run stretching and focus on how your muscles are feeling.
Continue to pay attention to the effects of your run over the next few hours. Some runners find that post-run is a good time to do a guided meditation to continue their relaxed and calm state.
Also see:
- 5 Ways to Boost Your Mood During a Run
- How Runners Can Use Positive Self-Talk
- 5 Mental Tricks to Keep You Running
Sources:
Alderman, B. L., et al. MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity Translational Psychiatry (2016) 6, e726.
Michael Noetel, Joseph Ciarrochi, Brooke Van Zanden & Chris Lonsdale (2019) Mindfulness and acceptance approaches to sporting performance enhancement: a systematic review, International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 12:1, 139-175, DOI: 10.1080/1750984X.2017.1387803
Running coach, avid runner, and fitness writer Christine Luff is an RRCA-certified running coach and ACE-certified personal trainer. Founder of the website Run for Good and author of the book Run for Good: How to Create a Lifelong Running Habit, she coaches runners, from beginners to advanced, who are training for races, from 5Ks to marathons.
