What are the advantages of regular exercise? It can not only provide you with more energy, but it can also improve your mood, help you sleep better, and help you live longer (just to name a few). Here are some of the reasons why exercise is essential.
It makes you feel better.
Who doesn’t enjoy the rush of endorphins that comes with a brisk walk or spin class?
Endorphins are hormones that reduce pain and increase pleasure, resulting in a general sense of well-being and optimism. So, before you scoff at your energetic fitness instructor, consider how a steady state of endorphins benefits the body.
Endorphins are also a natural pain reliever and can help with chronic aches. Regular exercise can help to strengthen muscles, reducing chronic pain and the likelihood of injury.
Increases your energy
According to the study by Red Boost in The Sentrian, Physical activity raises your heart rate and causes your blood to flow. More oxygen and nutrients to your muscles equals more energy. And, while it may appear strange that expending energy can provide you with more energy, science backs up this claim.
According to one study, 90% of people who completed a regular exercise programme reported less fatigue than those who did not exercise. Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee to wake you up, go for a walk.
Improves sleep quality
Exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling more relaxed and stable, which is an ideal state for sleeping.
And, while exercise can raise your body temperature and make you feel more alert throughout the day, it can also help you sleep better when your internal temperature begins to fall.
If you exercise outside, vitamin D exposure can help you regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Just be mindful of when you exercise and how close it is to bedtime.
Aids in depression treatment
Exercise has been shown in studies to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression.
Exercising increases your brain’s sensitivity to serotonin and norepinephrine, both of which alleviate depression symptoms.
But don’t think you have to start running marathons to reap the benefits.
According to one study, six weeks of yoga (along with standard treatment) was enough to reduce depression and even anxiety. Yoga and Pilates both emphasise breathing exercises as a way to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Aids in the maintenance of strong muscles and bones
We lose muscle mass and function as we age. However, regular exercise can help to prevent muscle loss and maintain strength. When we exercise, our bodies release hormones that aid in the absorption of amino acids and the growth of muscles.
A study also found that exercising when we’re young helps build bone density, which can help prevent osteoporosis later in life.
Lowers the risk of chronic disease
Regular exercise can help prevent chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It may also be beneficial if you have high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Consider how a lack of exercise can affect your health. It has been linked to high cholesterol, inflammation, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as causing significant belly fat (which we all know is difficult to lose).
Pain relief
Exercise has been shown to help reduce pain in people who have chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, or other conditions that cause chronic pain.
Exercise has been shown in studies to reduce the severity of pain and improve physical function.
