You Should Stop Running If This Happens To You

Running is an excellent form of exercise. It's easy to pick up, requires minimal equipment, and can be done anywhere. However, this type of exercise comes with risks for athletes at any level. It is important to know when to stop running so you can prevent a serious injury or health issue. According to Healthline, running every day puts you at risk of developing an injury from overusing a muscle or joint. Your body needs time to build up strength and endurance, and running too much can cause you to hurt yourself. If you experience severe or consistent pain while running, you should stop and consult your doctor to determine where the pain is coming from.

Although some discomfort is common when running, you should know the difference between harmless discomfort, like soreness and tiredness, and dangerous discomfort, like pain and odd health symptoms (via Runner's World). Heart attacks are uncommon but not unheard of in runners. If you experience any chest pain while running, stop and contact a medical professional right away. Lightheadedness, nausea, and shortness of breath are other potentially serious signs that something is wrong. Stop running if you experience any of these symptoms.

Even if you don't experience pain, fatigue, or any other negative symptoms while running, you're not in the clear to run as much as you want. There is currently some controversy around how good or bad running is for your health when done excessively (via NPR). One study published in the European Heart Journal found that frequent marathoners had more coronary plaque buildup than people living a sedentary lifestyle (European Heart Journal).

This study and a few others have suggested that too much running can be harmful to your heart. However, these are still small studies that contain multiple variables. Many experts agree that for someone to experience heart problems from running, they would need to log countless hours at a fast pace, which is much more than the average jogger will ever do. According to WebMD, running has many benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, improved memory, and a stronger immune system. If you experience any odd or uncomfortable symptoms while running, speak with a healthcare professional about your situation. Otherwise, you should feel good about your morning jogs.