Scan barcode
A review by jessorella
Jog On: How Running Saved My Life by Bella Mackie
5.0
It's too pithy and ironic to say I raced through this book, but I really did. Lately I can finish a book in about two weeks on a good run (longer if I'm finding it not quite as enjoyable), but I completed Bella Mackie's JOG ON within about four days.
Having experience anxiety myself in varying degrees since the age of 16, there was a lot I already knew about the condition, the symptoms, the ways of managing, etc. It's not often I discover something new about this condition, but in this book I did. Written in a really open and approachable tone that is honest and yet lighthearted where it suits, JOG ON is a frank look at the author's own experiences with anxiety and depression from her childhood onwards, and how a crisis point in her life led her to discover how going out for a jog could help.
Refreshingly, the book never suggests running/jogging as a be-all-and-end-all fix to anxiety issues - and the author does, in fact, tackle moments where her progress tracked back and forth throughout her time "learning" how to be a jogger. Instead it explores many of the reasons WHY this sort of activity can help our brains wade through the maelstrom of anxiety, not only as a coping mechanism but sometimes also as a preventative measure. There's just enough scientific research and detail to reinforce the book's message without it being too "textbook-y" and the author's tone is a real joy to read. She has a very "cool big sister" manner to her writing (although I am 99.9% certain that she is younger than me) and I really hope she continues to write more books.
In summary, very inspiring and educational, while at the same time providing comfort and humour. I have a feeling I'll be dipping back into this one.
Having experience anxiety myself in varying degrees since the age of 16, there was a lot I already knew about the condition, the symptoms, the ways of managing, etc. It's not often I discover something new about this condition, but in this book I did. Written in a really open and approachable tone that is honest and yet lighthearted where it suits, JOG ON is a frank look at the author's own experiences with anxiety and depression from her childhood onwards, and how a crisis point in her life led her to discover how going out for a jog could help.
Refreshingly, the book never suggests running/jogging as a be-all-and-end-all fix to anxiety issues - and the author does, in fact, tackle moments where her progress tracked back and forth throughout her time "learning" how to be a jogger. Instead it explores many of the reasons WHY this sort of activity can help our brains wade through the maelstrom of anxiety, not only as a coping mechanism but sometimes also as a preventative measure. There's just enough scientific research and detail to reinforce the book's message without it being too "textbook-y" and the author's tone is a real joy to read. She has a very "cool big sister" manner to her writing (although I am 99.9% certain that she is younger than me) and I really hope she continues to write more books.
In summary, very inspiring and educational, while at the same time providing comfort and humour. I have a feeling I'll be dipping back into this one.