7 reasons why trail running makes you happy

More and more runners change from paved roads and sidewalks to trails through meadows and forests. Not without reason! Apart from the fact that nature can offer you amazing experiences that you will hardly have on roads and in street canyons, trail running is not only good for your physical health, but also for your mental and emotional well-being. You think that sounds a bit over the top? Let us show you why trail running makes you happy.

7 Reasons why trail running makes you happy

1. Trail running is easy on your body

Natural ground such as soil, grass or mud is a lot softer than hard asphalt or cobblestones. The high resilience of the natural terrain ensures that the forces that are normally transmitted to your ankles, knees, shins and also your hips when running in the city almost completely disappear. Trail running is, therefore, a lot gentler to your body than ordinary running. Basically, you minimize knee and shin pain through trail running and feel more at ease.

2. Trail running helps to improve your balance

Running over uneven terrains, like roots and rocks, requires a lot more stability and balance than on straight roads. To prevent falling down on demanding ground, your body center is automatically activated as well as lots of small, stabilizing muscles that are otherwise rarely used. As a result, not only your stability and balance improve, but also your body awareness. As a positive side effect, your abdominal muscles get trained as well.

3. Trail running positively affects your overall fitness

In addition to the small stabilizing muscles in your legs, ankles, feet and mid-body that are needed to maintain balance, other aspects of trail running have a positive effect on your overall fitness as well. Running up strengthens your leg muscles while running down increases the speed of your legs. Your agility and coordination are also trained as you constantly have to adjust your pace and avoid obstacles. In general, every step on soft ground demands more power and activates more muscles than when running on asphalt.

4. Trail running is good for your mental health

Trail running is not only good for your physical, but also for your mental health. Running in nature releases endorphins making you happier and therefore has a positive effect on your mental and emotional well-being. Trail running provides perfect balance and helps you to leave stress and problems behind. Even in cases of mental illnesses such as depression or burn-out, trail running can work wonders. That’s why many specialists point out the high therapeutic effect of trail running.

5. Trail running trains your brain

Trail running requires high concentration. Just starting to run and wallowing in thought does not work, you have to constantly watch where you step. This completely new kind of focus is a true boost to your brain – especially on very demanding, technical routes. It gives you more energy and a heady exhilaration, which in turn positively affects your mental and emotional well-being.

6. Trail running clears your head and helps you to relax

When trail running there is no traffic noise, no traffic lights or cars that you need to pay attention to and which you have to stop for. The noise of the city is exchanged for the twittering of birds and the rustle of leaves in the wind. That’s why trail running is the ideal sport to escape the hectic and stressful everyday life. It is also not possible to think about problems and worries because you have to dedicate your entire concentration to running. Pure relaxation is thus pre-programmed while trail running.

7. Trail running is fun

Frankly speaking, running on asphalt can become boring and monotonous over time. The same routes, the same impressions, no variety. Trail running, however, awakens the inner child when it comes to jumping over streams, running through puddles and mud or sprinting through the forest. In short, it’s just much more fun!

You would like to know more about trail running? We have some more blog posts for you:

→ Trailrunning Essentials

→ Trailrunning rule book: What is there to know