You may occasionally wonder why anyone would voluntarily run for extended periods of time. Why do that when the Internet exists? Though the Internet can be fun and distracting, running can help you de-stress and get your blood flowing.

If you have never tried running before, there is no better time than now. Fall is just around the corner, which makes being outside for more than five minutes actually bearable. Do not worry if you have not gone running since you were forced to in your high school gym class. Just find a pair of tennis shoes and start pounding some pavement.

To help motivate you, create a playlist of songs that can help pace you and keep you energized. You can even download an app on your smartphone that can help track your progress. Apps like Nike+ GPS tells you how far you have run, your pace and other helpful statistics.

Finally, find a place to run. The track around the soccer field is a great place to get started. If you find tracks too monotonous, try creating your own path through campus. You might end up finding a peaceful place you have never encountered before. While you run, you can leave behind all of the stress going on in your life—homework, friend drama, homesickness—and just focus on how your body feels as you find your pace.