Time to lace up those sneakers that have been sitting in the closet and go get the new job or promotion you’ve been gunning for.

It could happen!

Running has lots of benefits, including improving mood, reducing stress, and boosting self-confidence. Running just might help your work life, too.

Here are five reasons running could give you what you need to pursue a promotion:

Running Makes You Feel More Confident

I’m not talking about a rockin’ runner’s bod to make one feel great (although that certainly is an added benefit.) More significantly, confidence is one of the most important predictors of running performance.

“Lack of confidence leads to anxiety and tension and reduced motivation,” says Cindra S. Kamphoff, Ph.D, Director of the Center for Sport and Performance Psychology at Minnesota State University. “When I talk to runners, I tell them, ‘Confidence is up to you—you and your mind.’”

The same reasoning can be applied in the workplace.

If you psych yourself out about your abilities, you won’t be seen as a viable candidate for a promotion. Building healthy self-esteem can be a lifelong process, just as feeling comfortable as a runner can.

It’s worth it.

Running Facilitates Bonding With Colleagues

By nature, runners are social creatures. They need fellow runners with whom to commiserate as much as they need that gel packet for fuel.
Even though running is an individual sport, there’s always at least a handful of runners in the office to talk shop with. One of those people could be your boss.

Managers strategically develop a high performing team and appreciate when employees show a united front because it helps to streamline decisions, better capitalize on opportunities, and identify problems that could hinder the team from achieving its goal.

Runners use some of the same decision making skills as a way to improve their performance.

While you’re making social connections around the water cooler, you’re also showing you have motivation to accomplish goals and aim high, including reaching for a promotion. Just don’t wear your medal to work.

Running Aids in Better Memory

Aerobic exercise in particular keeps the mind sharp by improving memory and thinking skills. When you get the heart pumping and work up a sweat, you’re not just glistening, you’re actually increasing the size of the hippocampus, the area of the brain involved in memory and verbal learning.

Go ahead and show your boss how articulate you are after going for a nice run.

Hitting the treadmill or track has been shown to reduce symptoms of dementia and protect the brain against Alzheimer’s, even for those with a family history of it.

Running Helps Improve Your Mood

Stress, anxiety and depression really do a number on the body. Insomnia, tense muscles, a tight chest, headaches, and stomachaches are just a few physical symptoms, not to mention the effects they have on your mind.

Running is a stress reliever.

The office can be a stressful place, which is why employees should tend to their own needs to avoid developing ‘psychosocial hazards’ in the workplace that can manifest in a variety of ways, including emotional and mental issues, and physical problems.

Breaking up the day with a lunch run might make you a happier camper back at the office later in the day. Endorphins are released in the brain, which is where the term “runner’s high” stems from. It may be tough getting out the door, but your body and mind will like it.

Your boss will like you, too.

If your brain is damaged by stressful events, regular exercise can reverse that damage. The positive benefits of inducing ‘healthy stress’ on the body makes the muscles and cardiovascular system stronger.

Running Helps You Stay Alert

Have you ever noticed the person(s) in your office who don’t get much exercise (or even take short walk breaks), but just graze on food at their desks throughout the day?

Without criticizing their choices, it seems there’s surely a sluggishness that ensues. They might not know what it feels like to feel refreshed and energized after a good bout of exercise. That’s why we are warned not to exercise right before bed.

During the 3 pm meeting you don’t want to close your eyes while the boss is talking. Prior to the meeting, you could drink a cup of coffee and then go for a jog, in that order. If you exhibit model work ethic, enjoy taking the lead, and chatting up the boss, a management position might be the right fit for your future.

When it comes to running and a job promotion, there are definitely some parallels. It’s always good to challenge yourself and push your own limits. You’ll notice things start to fall in place if you stay mentally focused on your career goals every day while maintaining a healthy running habit.