The Surprising Benefits Of Running "Naked," According To A Positive Psychiatrist

But have you ever considered going out for a run without your headphones (yes, intentionally!). This is a concept called "running naked," and it's actually not as crazy as it seems. On an episode of the mbg podcast, positive psychiatrist Samantha Boardman, M.D., discusses how she gets the motivation to approach her workouts—and running "naked" happens to be one of her top tips.

Setting goals for your training, paired with running "naked" allows you to push through obstacles using your own resolve, meaning you're relying less on outside sources and more on yourself for mental fortitude. "Even if you're timing yourself, we can [employ] some of those mental contrasting techniques, thinking, 'OK, what exactly is the obstacle in front of me that I'm facing? And then what is the action? What is my plan that I'm going to take?'" recommends Boardman of reframing your mindset.

She explains that she knows a woman who runs with the mantra "I am at peace" in order to create a state of calm that can then be leveraged into pushing through the workout. "Really [ask] people to tap into that if they're making a mental health change," she suggests of how to make the most of your workout both physically and mentally. "How do you tap into somebody's true motivation?"

On some days it may feel essential to run with music (I know I certainly feel that way). However, next time you go for a run, consider going distraction-free. Allowing yourself to check in with nature and focus on your personal fitness goals can be an empowering way to recognize that you don't need music—or really any outside motivation, to thrive.