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Goodbye for a Moment, World in My Hand

We are always connected to something. The small screen in our hands delivers all the world’s news in real-time and buzzes incessantly, as if it won’t permit even a moment of silence. Behind the convenience of this clever device lies ‘digital stress,’ which drains our mental energy without us even realizing it. True rest and rejuvenation may begin not with ‘connection,’ but with ‘disconnection.’

Today, I want to talk about how to meet your whole self through the act of running, and about a wise tool that can protect us from the things that interrupt that precious time.

What Happens to Our Body and Mind When We Run

It’s common knowledge that running is good for the body. But its benefits go beyond simply burning calories and strengthening the heart. When we run, our brain releases neurotransmitters called endorphins. Thanks to these substances, which reduce pain and create a sense of pleasure, we can experience the ultimate happiness of a ‘Runner’s High.’

Scientifically, regular running lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol and helps produce a protein (BDNF) that promotes brain cell growth, improving memory and learning abilities. The fact that a cluttered mind becomes clear after a run is not just a feeling; it has a scientific basis.

The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said, “I have walked myself into my best thoughts.” Just as his walks were a source of contemplation, running, with its rhythmic push off the ground, frees us from the prison of our thoughts. As you focus on the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, the wind rushing past, and your quickening breath, the worries that cluttered your mind naturally fade away.

The One Thing That Disturbs Perfect Immersion

But there is one thing that disturbs this perfect ‘moving meditation’: the smartphone in your hand. While listening to music or tracking your stats while running is fine, a phone bouncing in your pocket or slipping in your sweaty hand is quite annoying. The moment you glance at the screen, your consciousness is sucked back into the noise of the world.

The true beauty of running lies in ‘disconnection,’ yet an irony arises where we can’t let go of the ‘connection’ of our smartphones. The solution chosen by countless runners to solve this problem is the ‘running belt.‘

The Best Ally for Disconnection: A Quality Flip Belt

The running belt I want to introduce today is more than just a storage tool; it’s the best ally for ‘conscious disconnection’ for a complete run. A good, wide flip belt is a perfect example of this.

The most impressive thing when you first wear one is the ‘stability.’ A wide band comfortably wraps around your waist, so there’s almost no feeling of your belongings bouncing up and down as you run. The flexible material clings to your body, making you forget the belt is even there.

Above all, the greatest value of this type of belt is that it removes the smartphone from your ‘sight.’ The belt’s tubular design securely stores your phone, cards, and keys, and the flip-over closure ensures that your belongings won’t fall out even with vigorous movement. Once you put your items in and wear the belt, you don’t have to worry about them for the rest of your run.

Just by not having the screen flashing in front of our eyes, we can finally immerse ourselves completely in the act of running. A quality running belt gives us the gift of time—time to forget the smartphone and focus on our body’s movement, our breath, and the scenery around us.

Returning to Myself

Running is not an act of turning your back on the world, but an act of pausing to take care of yourself. The small act of putting your smartphone in a running belt is like a commitment to distance yourself from the world’s demands for a moment and listen to your own voice.

How about heading out the door in light attire this evening? Leave your smartphone in the care of a running belt and focus solely on your two feet and your heartbeat. By the time you finish your run, you’ll probably find that not only your body but also your mind feels much lighter.