Exercise can help us in many ways; we know it helps get fitter or maintain current weight. But, if exercise seems daunting to you (raises hand) perhaps an update on why weight reduction shouldn’t be your sole motivator to exercise is necessary.
As our world continues to spiral out of control, we all could use some extra encouragement to focus on our health!
Matthew Kampert, DO outlines some additional advantages of exercise beyond getting fitter. Keeping some of these in your back pocket will serve as extra motivation to stick with exercise when the urge arises to abandon it altogether.
Advantages Of Exercise
What are the advantages of regular physical activity? Not only can exercise provide more energy, it may also strengthen your mind-set, help with sleeping better and increase longevity (just to name a few benefits). Here are several compelling arguments as to why physical exercise should be practiced regularly.
Causes You To Feel More Joyful
Who wouldn’t enjoy feeling that rush of endorphins after taking part in a walk or spin class?
Endorphins are chemicals which reduce pain and elevate happiness, creating an overall feeling of well-being and energy in our bodies. Before lashing out at an overly enthusiastic health practitioner, consider how taking regular doses of endorphins would benefit both you and the body immensely.
Endorphins can also act as natural pain relievers and may help manage long-term discomfort. Exercise can strengthen muscles, decreasing the likelihood of injury.
Gives You More Energy
Doing physical activity increases your heartbeat and blood circulation, providing oxygen and nutrients to the muscles for increased energy production. While it might seem counterintuitive that exertion could give us more energy, science backs this claim up.
Advances Quality Sleep
One study discovered that 91% of individuals who completed an exercise program showed less weariness compared to those who didn’t exercise regularly. If you need an extra pick-me-up, try going for a walk instead!
Exercise to promote better sleep Regular physical activity has been shown to significantly lower stress and anxiety levels, providing an ideal environment for better restful slumber.
Helps Battle Depression
Exercise to promote better sleep Regular physical activity has been shown to significantly lower stress and anxiety levels, providing an ideal environment for better restful slumber.
As exercising can also raise your internal heat level and increase feelings of readiness during the day, working out may also help with the gradual descent of internal temperature when your day winds down.
Exercise outdoors, exposure to vitamin D can also help manage your wake/sleep cycle. Just ensure that when exercising close to bedtime you follow precautions to make the most out of each session.
Exercise may help combat depression Research indicates that for mild or direct instances of depression, physical exercise can be an effective remedy.
Exercising increases your brain’s receptivity to serotonin and norepinephrine, two chemicals which help fight depression.
However, do not assume you need to train for a long distance race immediately to reap its benefits.
One review revealed that even just half a month of yoga (in combination with standard medical treatments) was enough to significantly decrease feelings of sadness and even anxiety. Yoga and Pilates both provide breathing exercises designed to decrease pressure while increasing relaxation.
Supports Your Brain Health
Exercise can benefit people of all ages in maintaining brain health, but especially so for those at high risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s infection.
Movement benefits cardiovascular health by increasing circulation to the brain and decreasing inflammation. Furthermore, movement encourages production of chemicals which support brain cell regeneration.
Studies suggest that exercise can have positive results on older adults’ brain function by stimulating the hippocampus. This area of the mind is integral for memory and learning, and engaging in regular physical exercise could aid its development – leading to better mental function overall.
Further Develops Skin
Perspiration from Working Out While you might not think exercise would have an immediate impact on your skin, regular moderate exercise could increase antioxidants within your body and thus benefit its development.
Antioxidants help shield cells from oxidative pressure and free radicals, both of which can pose risks to skin health.
Exercise increases blood circulation, helping combat against anti-aging effects.
Makes You Feel More Productive
Isaac Newton knew something important when he said, “Moving things continue moving.” With exercise’s rush of endorphins and surge of motivation that come with each workout session, many individuals report feeling more productive after they exercise.
Dr. Kampert believes that exercise helps those experiencing melancholy to feel better, even if only for short amounts of time. Even short bouts can have positive results in terms of improving mental wellbeing.
“This may be caused by development, or simply that an individual took charge and accomplished something themselves,” Dr. Kampert suggests.
Overall, exercise provides an energizing and motivating feeling. Furthermore, regular physical activity may help lessen fatigue and pessimism so as to promote a more productive day ahead.
Further Develops Sexual Coexistence
Exercise can contribute to stronger hearts, muscles and adaptability which in turn may improve sexual coexistence.
Studies demonstrate that postmenopausal women who exercised found their sexual yearning increasing, while exercise also improved men’s erectile function.
Helps Maintain Weight
Once at your ideal weight, exercising can play an invaluable role in keeping it there. Working out will not only burn up excess calories that would otherwise go to fat storage but it will also build and tone muscles over time.
Reduce stress and sleep better – which leads to better eating decisions!
Assists You With Living Longer
Healthcare providers frequently recommend exercise to treat or prevent conditions like diabetes, coronary illness, cancers and obesity.
However, it also helps maintain healthy bones.
