Everything is good, in moderation

Any fitness junkie will tell you that in order to leave a more healthy lifestyle, cardio is the way to go. However, what they don’t tell you is running should not be your everyday cardio activity. Here’s why.

While running every day can help reduce your risk of certain diseases, it can also lead to injuries and general wear and tear on your feet, legs and joints. Which will affect your overall health and your performance? Despite knowing this, people still choose to run every day.

If you are going to run, though, experts suggest at least giving your body at least one day of rest to reduce the frequency of overused injuries. According to a 2015 review of studies, weekly running distances of between 30 and 39 miles in women and over 40 miles in men increased the risk of an acute injury.

Giving the body time to repair from the trauma of a run is thought to reduce the risks of injuries like shin splints, Achilles tendinopathy, and stress fractures. These types of injuries can have a much longer effect and can sideline you for a week to a month or more.

Rest days reduce the “stress hormone,” otherwise known as cortisol, which can cause depression, fatigue, irritability, sleep problems, and other health issues if the physical stress levels remain high. They also give you a mental break: You’ll reduce your chances of feeling burned-out and bored with running.