WHY I RUN: SEAN HAYES. | Mental Health In Running.

The last couple of years have been varied and full of change for runner Sean Hayes. This short film gives us an insight and introduction how running has fit into this mix and his mental health.
It's ok not to be ok.

!!! Please note running with headphones in is potentially risky, please use caution and courtesy for other trail users. !!!

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.
If you are struggling with your mental health and don't know where to turn to there are many charities and organisations that can be of great help. Please do take a moment to check the links below.

WANT TO RUN?
As seen in this film, running and physical exercise has aided Sean (and many others) in benefitting his mental health. If you are interested in picking up your physical exercise, here are a few great links that will be able to help.

Shoot Assistant: Catherine Owen

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Kit used in the above video -
- Canon 5D Mark IV
- DJI Mavic Pro
- DJI Ronin S
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4
- Canon 17-40mm f/4
- Canon 70-200mm f/2.8
- Rode Video Mic
- Zoom H5
- Apple Mac
- Premier Pro

Like, subscribe and comment! :D

[michaelmacleod]

I'm 39 and used to run as a child. I've struggled with depression and anxiety. I'm in a bad place at the moment. Rediscovered running last year. Started with 5ks and then 10ks and then half marathons. My real love are the trails. Walked 100k ultra marathon and hope to progress to running 50k plus ultras. Running has changed my life. It hasn't fixed me yet, maybe nothing ever will. But running is a type of medicine. Recently pulled my piriformis and had to reduce my running substantially. Noticed my head wander. Nice video. Thank you for sharing.

[jc]

I was running everyday and it kept depression and anxiety at bay. I’ve recently started getting back up the gym lifting weights but there’s no better feeling than after a long run and your mind is just clear. Most people don’t realise just how blissful that is when my minds default is overthinking or negativity unfortunately.

[hopperthemarxist]

People completely underestimate having support. Right now I have almost no friends actually basically nobody. Nobody checks in on me even, dating is difficult. Everything is awful but I run everyday to keep my sanity otherwise I either get enraged and angry or really sad and upset at how cruel our society is. I live in america life here is deeply alienating everyone out for themselves and thd almighty dollar

[davidbone]

I just started running 2.5 -3 miles a day before sundown. It’s been a game changer for me. It takes about 25-30 minutes but after I’m done I sit on a bench and relax for 15-20 minutes and practice gratitude and meditation for a while and just think about life and my thoughts. It’s amazing how one good habit can replace 4-5 bad habits. I was recently smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, gambling, porn, dating apps, and eating terribly. The run keeps me on track to avoid all that garbage. I even got rid of social media from my phone and I’m just a lot more cool with where I am in life. I’m 32 and the last 2 years with COVID I’ve worked almost everyday shift work job starting at 4:30-5 am for last 3-4 years. It’s the kind of schedule that will break you if you don’t have a good routine for yourself. If your sleep hygiene is bad bad habits will just appear. You will mentally feel anxiety depression and won’t know how to cope. Running is the one thing that helps. I was trying to bike or walk before I got up the motivation to run and nothing feels quite like running not stop for 30 minutes at a good pace. It pushes you just enough to give you a nice calm feeling when it’s over. But not to much to hurt you or make you dread doing it the next day. Perfect distance for people who need a routine and something that’s achievable. If I had more time and could run in the mornings I would probably do the 5-6 miles a day but I’m ok with the 2.5-3. Mentally on days I wasn’t running I would think of alcohol as a way to unwind and relax but it was killing my sleep and I was slowly turning into a drunk. You don’t really notice until you take a step back and realize how much you were drinking. It was cool at work today my boss was kind of being difficult but I’ve been drink free for about a week and doing my runs every night so I was in a pretty good mood and just sipping on my one cup of coffee and I just realized how much happier I felt with out drinking the night before and mentally it just made me feel good. Today I got off work and ate a cheat meal fried chicken dipped in blue cheese dressing. I then took a nap and woke up with a stomach ache and realized the next step for mental health is limiting cheat meals to like once a month instead of a few times a week. I feel for people who don’t live close to a nice place to run. I’m blessed and paid extra to live near a place with a trail. You got to just start with baby steps if you can’t run at first just walk fast and work on you’re breathing. I was having a hard time with shoes and foot pain at first but I pushed through the pain the first few runs and it’s gone away completely. Buy good running shoes though it makes all the difference. I also run with no ear phones or anything in my pockets. It makes you lighter and can pay attention to your breathing and footsteps. It helps me. I do wear an i watch though to track heart beat and time which is awesome

[rygi]

“It was just a case of my brain had had enough”. Hit me hard and straight on. I’m 44, thoughts of suicide since 13. Running is the only thing that has ever purely changed my state of mind. Lately though (last 8 years or so) the hole is so deep it’s too hard to get going. My brain has had enough.

[GawdGenetics]

I started running when my moms health took a turn for the worse about 8 months ago. I lost her two days ago, and the only time I’ve been getting mental clarity. Thank you for this video.

[makaelasho]

I’m doing a socials project on how running regularly can affect mental health and I came across this video during my research and it’s amazing! I chose to do this project because running has pulled me out of some dark times. Thank you for making this video!

[joannegailiusfullcirclephy]

Brilliant video - we know men struggle (more than women) to reach out and you did, with vulnerability and generosity. I, too, run for my mental health and physical benefits are secondary but enjoyed.

[tomdoughty]

I resonate with this so much. I applaud you for being so open brother. Keep going your not alone

[ibrahimz]

Applaud you and thank you for sharing your story! “It is ok not to be ok” well done, sir

[al_humphreys]

You've filmed this with empathy, and also a clear eye and nice technique. I like it!

[BorsukenSlayer]

Wow man you are skilled, and deserve more subs and views. I found this video because i'm currently documenting my own journey back to the 10 km (and literally running away from depression)

[goriotv]

I am a runner for 30 years but I was hooked into cycling and took a rest in marathon running. But now I started to run again and I feel great!

[matthewchristopher]

This video really helped me out, I am 17 I moved across the country roughly 3 years ago, I haven’t felt mentally stable since, I lost connection with people, for the last year or so I felt like I was doing the same thing every day, school, work, home, repeat, even during the summer I have just relaxed school with more time at work, and this evening, I just spontaneously thought to run, and as soon as I got home, I felt like I just broke the loop, like I woke from a horrible dream, running is what I needed to help myself and this video helped me realize that, thank you

[alexismayer]

If I didnt have running. Id lose my mind. I dont think id be alive

[nishant]

I am at the stage of complete shut down n live in complete fear and anxiety.. I need to find a way out .. I appreciate the video 🙏🙏✌🏻

[mikeunsworth]

Thanks for your vid toby. I've been feeling down lately and it dawned on me that running could help and I've not been in a few months. So went for a 1 hour run today and it was good! I mean tough, but good! This video is good inspiration and I'm glad to hear you got though that dark place and I hope you're still doing well now.

[zanderortiz]

Well done nice video 👍🏻 keep your chin up and smiling and of course running 😁 we only get one shot so please enjoy it and especially up the mountains of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 sutch a beautiful place 🙌🏻

[tonya]

Well done sir, I too run for mental health!

[shmoutube]

What a wonderful video. Thanks so much for making and sharing this.