Being an entrepreneur can be a very rewarding experience. It can also be extremely stressful at times and you will certainly have your ups and downs.

One thing I do to relieve stress and to keep a positive attitude is to lace up my shoes and head out for a run. Any form of exercise will help, but running is my stress reducer of choice.

For those of you who are stressed and or want to keep your mind mentally healthy and your body in shape, it’s time to get out your running gear and hit the trails.

Let me tell you how running has improved my life.

Reduces Stress: Running gives me the opportunity to get outside, clear my mind, and feel much better about myself. Getting outside to enjoy fresh air will feel great after a long day of work. It will refresh the body, give you more energy, and allow a person to hear, smell, and see the beauty around you. Running will also help detoxify your body of stress related compounds.

Thoughts: While running you will have the ability and time to think about what you need to do in order to grow your business, solve problems, and maintain your goals. I’ve found that while running I stay relaxed, and can come up with multiple solutions and ideas for current problems and issues.

Ideas: My mind somehow always comes up with some of the best business ideas while running. I now feel that if I miss a run, I miss out on the best brainstorming session of the day. All kinds of ideas are able to flow smoothly and come to me while running. (Just don’t forget to write them down when you get home!)

Feel Better Mentally and have More Energy: I’ve noticed that the lazier I am, the more tired I become. However, when I do find the time to exercise I have a considerable amount of extra energy, an easier time getting up early, am more confident, and feel better about myself. Exercise also releases the “feel good” endorphins that help boost your awareness, confidence, and self-esteem.

Feel Better Physically: In addition to all of the mental benefits running provides, you will also start to notice the positive effects on the body including weight loss, muscle tone, and an increase in strength.

Socialization: I’ve noticed that when I do get out to exercise I see new people and often bump into friends on the trail. Interacting with others, seeing other people running as well, and sharing a smile with others on the trail often motivates me to keep getting out everyday.

These are just a few of the benefits I’ve seen from running and other forms of exercise. Running makes me feel better, reduces stress, helps generate business ideas, and keeps me active and more energetic. I’m very confident that running will have many positive benefits for you. So what are you waiting for? Lace up those shoes, go find a trail, and feel better about your life!

Music / Podcast Tip:  Bring your iPod along for the run. I’ve found that listening to music helps keep me pumped up and running at a slightly faster pace. If you’d rather learn something or listen to the days news, I’d recommend downloading podcasts to your iPod. You can download news (Bloomberg, CNN, CNBC, Nightly News with Brian Williams, etc.) with the click of a button from iTunes. Bloggers might want to check out Pat Flynn’s Podcasts (www.smartpassiveincome.com). If you are into history, search for informational podcasts such as one about World War II. Listening to podcasts will both teach you something and help keep your mind on something interesting.

Pete Sveen is a blogger for ThinkEntrepreneurship.com and Owner of SignsoftheMountains.com and Four Zero Six Enterprises, LLC.