Scientific research has proven that running does wonders for your physical health and longevity, and the benefits are not limited to your heart and muscles: Running is a powerful tool for your mental health and wellness. Physical activity, including running, improves your mood in the short term and also helps people who suffer with specific mental health conditions like depression. Research over the past few decades has backed this up. One of the more seminal studies came out of Duke University. Researchers tested 250 people with depressive symptoms taking an antidepressant vs. an exercise regimen of three to four times a week of 30 to 40 minutes of movement, or nothing. The result? Both groups got less depressed with their respective interventions compared to the group that did no intervention, showing exercise may be equally as powerful as medication. To help you put a plan of exercise into action, we created The Runner’s World Guide to Running for Depression.…