Running My Way to Better Health — and Psoriasis Management

This past March I received blood lab results that felt like a major earthquake shaking my health world. Elevated cholesterol levels unsettled me. The very high triglycerides levels stopped me in my tracks. I urgently needed to make lifestyle changes.

My primary care physician prescribed a statin to start immediately. In addition, I began a low-carbohydrate and low-saturated-fat diet, increasing my intake of vegetables and fish with high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids.

Increasing exercise intensity and frequency also needed to become part of my daily routine once again. I’ve long heard how exercise reduces stress and positively impacts those living with psoriasis. A study published in 2024 found that “regular exercise had positive effects on skin lesions, inflammation, and overall quality of life in individuals with psoriasis.”

Since I ran track and cross-country in high school, I naturally gravitate to running when I need to increase physical activity. This time I not only needed to run to help manage my psoriasis but also to stay ahead of increasing health concerns like elevated cholesterol and triglycerides.

I reflected on how running is similar to living with psoriasis on a recent long workout. What follows are tips on effectively managing psoriasis that I thought of while running.

Check In With Your Doctor

Before starting a new exercise regimen it’s wise to discuss it with your healthcare providers first to confirm that it’s a good fit for your current health needs. I did, and at my last physical checkup, my primary care physician, Dr. Swales, recommended I increase the intensity of my exercise. I walked a few miles each day, but I needed to add strength training and running to my workout mix.

In the same way, before starting anything new to manage my psoriasis, I discuss it with my dermatologist. At one appointment I asked Dr. Carroll about dietary supplements that I had heard could improve psoriatic symptoms. She said adding a vitamin D supplement would not hurt but probably would not help much either. Another time she checked me for gluten sensitivity, which came back negative — no need to start a gluten-free diet.

Set a Goal

I’m naturally goal-oriented. Now I have two more motivating goals to keep me on track with my new exercise program in addition to reducing stress. The first is to lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels. The more recent target is to run the Hapalua half-marathon next year with my colleague who lives in Hawaii.

My psoriasis treatment goal is simple: minimize its impact on my ability to function each day. If I am treating my psoriasis effectively, I will sleep better, with less irritation and itch to keep me awake at night. I won’t feel as anxious about encountering psoriasis triggers while traveling. And I’m more likely to keep up with my Skyrizi injections, topical ointments, and moisturizers when I see positive results.

Be sure to discuss your psoriasis treatment goals with your dermatologist if you haven’t already.

Pace Yourself

My wife comments that I like to do everything quickly: eating, shopping, and, yes, running. But running at a fast pace for every workout is not ideal, as it invites injury and burnout. Training at different levels throughout the week, including the right pacing for the length of the run, promotes long-term health and performance.

Over the years I’ve learned the wisdom of patience and pacing in living with psoriasis. As a chronic illness, it’s more of a long-distance race than a sprint around the track. I desperately want treatments to work fast, or to have my psoriasis go into an indefinite remission. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix or cure.

As with running long distances, living with psoriasis requires perseverance, patience, and pacing for the long, often arduous journey.

Find Your Support

An African proverb says that if you want to run fast, run alone; but if you want to run far, run together. Even though I work out by myself most of the time, I check in with friends and colleagues through social workout apps and share progress when we meet. My wife encourages me to put on my running shoes when I’d rather watch a game on TV.

I’ve also found that a support network on my journey with psoriasis is vital for me to reach my health goals. My physicians monitor my overall health and how well treatments are working. My family and church friends provide much-needed emotional support when I become weary of maintaining treatments or experience flare-ups. Other people living with psoriasis remind me I’m not alone in this fight and inspire me to keep going.

Finish Strong

Finishing a long run or a mile time trial can feel like a huge accomplishment, especially when my legs feel weighed down by lead boots. As long as I’m not injured, pushing through that pain is celebrated as much as running a personal best.

When I’m struggling with my psoriasis, when it’s worsening and I’m fatigued, I think about how I’ve made it through horrible flares before. If you make it through another day of psoriasis skin-care routines, the tough transition of a new treatment, or a season of anxiety, then you’ll be stronger for the next time. And the time after that.

Like a runner taking one stride at a time, soon you’ll be farther down the road with your psoriasis than you ever expected.