Lifestyle: best jogging trails in New York and New Jersey

Being a medical professional is arguably the most difficult path one could follow. Having spent many years in academia, now you often have to sacrifice your physical and mental health to save and improve the lives of your patients. With its packed workdays, demanding pace, time pressures, and emotional intensity, the health-care setting can put medical professionals at risk for burnout. Burnout is a long-term stress response characterized by emotional weariness, depersonalization, and a sense of personal failure. Engaging in outdoor activities such as jogging, hiking, and yoga may help you minimize the stress you experience at work. Please keep reading to discover the best places for outdoor running in New York and New Jersey. 
Running on a daily basis might provide you a constant boost in your overall happiness. Jogging can help you feel better in both your body and mind. It provides the following mental health benefits:
• Reduced anxiety.  Endocannabinoids (special molecules) are released in your body after a run. This naturally occurring substance floods your bloodstream and travels to your brain, producing short-term emotions of relaxation and reduced stress.
• Improved mood. Running helps to alleviate anxiety and despair. When you run, your brain’s blood circulation improves, and the region of your brain that responds to stress and boosts your mood is affected. This results in a change that improves your reaction to stressful events for a short time.
• Improved sleep quality. Running has been demonstrated to aid in establishing a regular sleep schedule. Chemicals released during and after running help you relax and sleep deeply. A regular sleep schedule is beneficial to the brain and boosts mental wellness.
If you are from New York or New Jersey, check out these running spots that are not as trivial as Central Park.
I. Battery Park (The Battery) to the East River (NYC)

The Battery is a public park located in South Manhattan on the New York Harbor. This route starts in Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan. Before rounding the edge of Manhattan and continuing up the East River running trail for more, you’ll catch a sight of the Statue of Liberty (running, that is). Views of Brooklyn’s waterfront, the Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Brooklyn Bridges, and the South Street Seaport are all available from the East River. You’ll also have plenty of opportunity to deviate off the course and get into Brooklyn; simply follow the signage for the bridge of your choosing!

Location

II. Brooklyn Bridge Park (NYC)

The park’s fringes are currently getting an interesting makeover that will include additional greenery. Take in Manhattan’s skyline for the time being, then head north for a round around Jane’s Carousel. Backtrack along Water Street to Shake Shack, which is conveniently located near the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. Besides, each Tuesday evening (at 6 p.m.), the New York Road Runners organize an open run that starts on the south side of Fornino on Pier 6.

Location

III. Hudson River Waterfront (Hoboken, NJ)

Image source: https://www.tripadvisor.comThere is a wonderful pathway on the western shore of the Hudson River in New Jersey. Apart from the jogging path itself, there are numerous cafes, bike-share stations, and fishing spots accompanied by a breathtaking view of Manhattan.  

Location

IV. Roosevelt Island (NYC)

Roosevelt Island, located between Manhattan and Queens, is a short, flat, and scenic run. You can take in the grandeur of Midtown Manhattan and the Queensboro Bridge without any taxi horns or rude tourists testing your patience as you run around the island’s 3.6-mile circuit — which is vital because even the nicest runners can experience road rage.

Location

V. Flushing Meadows Corona Park (NYC)

One of the city’s most iconic parks, Flushing Meadows Corona Park continues to draw and delight New Yorkers who want to go for a run around two nice lakes and a river.
Location

How to run in a healthy and pleasant way
Regular jogging is no easy task. Not only do some of you may have to literally convince one another to go for it, but you may also experience an opposite of an intended positive effect – health issues. Here are some tips on how to make the most out of your morning strolls or runs.
I. Determine the best run length and intensity for yourself
Consistency is key. Once you introduce a specific running pattern to your body, it will gradually get used to it, opening ways for improvement. A slow 30-minute run practiced every day at the same time is better than a rapid 1-hour sprint that you would do once under a blue moon.
II. Run in the countryside, or at least in parks
It is beyond obvious that laps ran along a noisy area full of cars and people will hardly be healthy, let alone joyful. Jogging in a typical urban landscape implies breathing in a lot of carbon monoxide and a constant concentration on the road (for you not to be hit by a vehicle). Natural settings foster mental freshness because the (usually) quiet atmosphere allows you to concentrate on running or your thoughts.
III. Wear good shoesRunning shoes that fit properly are the most critical piece of running equipment. You should wear shoes that are appropriate for your pronation and provide the necessary stability and support. Wearing out shoes and replacing them reduces the chance of injury.
IV. Work on your cadence
Cadence implies how many steps per minute a person takes while running. The more steps you take per minute, the less time you spend in contact with the ground and the less likely you are to pound against the ground. When you run, think about taking light steps and try to land with your feet behind you rather than in front of you.
V. Eat good food the day before
Your eating habits affect not only your overall health but also your risk of running-related injury. If you live on a diet of nutrient-poor junk food or avoid eating an entire food group, you are not giving your body the calories and nutrients it needs to regain the energy lost while jogging.
What topic would you like us to cover next in this section? Get in touch with us and share your suggestions!