What Does Jogging Do for Your Body?

Aerobic Benefits

For heart health, jogging is hard to beat. Jogging pushes your heart and lungs to temporarily work harder at distributing oxygen throughout your body. In the long term, these vital organs will grow stronger. A stronger heart requires fewer beats to pump blood, and thus your resting heart rate will drop. A slower heart rate reduces risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease, according to Harvard Medical School. Moreover, your blood vessels will become wider to carry more oxygen and remove more waste, such as carbon dioxide, from muscles. Jogging also helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, further reducing heart disease risk. You'll also have more stamina during athletic events as well as everyday activities.

Calorie Burning

Jogging torches calories to help keep body fat at bay. At a leisurely pace of 5 mph, a 155-pound woman shreds about 600 calories per hour. Bump up the pace to 6 mph, and the same woman melts nearly 750 calories. It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to burn a pound of fat, so combine jogging with a reduced-calorie diet for a guaranteed weight-loss strategy.

Mood Enhancement

Jogging can also make you happier. Exercise lifts your spirits in three ways, according to MayoClinic.com: by releasing mood-enhancing endorphins and neurotransmitters, lowering sadness-inducing chemicals in the immune system and raising internal temperature for a calming sensation. Physical activity is powerful enough to ward off symptoms of clinical depression and anxiety, and even if you don't suffer from these, you'll get a boost in self-confidence as well as distraction from everyday woes.

Bone Strengthening

Jogging is a high-impact exercise, which is good news for your bones. The impact causes your body to build bone density, which may help stave off osteoporosis as you age. However, high impact can be a negative thing when it comes to injury — too much jogging too soon places excessive strain on joints and muscles, potentially causing injuries. Ease into a jogging routine: Incorporate 30-to-60-second jogging spurts between two-to-three minute walking stints. Speak to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.