Want to feel better, be more energetic, and even live longer? Just get moving.
Regular physical activity and exercise have many positive health effects that are difficult to deny. Everyone, regardless of age, sex, or physical ability, benefits from exercise.
Need more persuasion to move forward? Here are seven ways that exercising might make you happier and healthier.
Exercising manages weight
Exercise can assist sustain weight loss or prevent excessive weight gain. Calorie burn occurs during physical exertion. You burn more calories when you engage in more vigorous exercise.
Regular gym visits are important, but don’t stress if you can’t find a significant amount of time to work out every day. Anything you do is preferable to doing nothing at all. Simply increase your daily activity to gain the benefits of exercise. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or work harder at your housework. Key is consistency.
Exercise fights illnesses and disorders
Heart illness giving you pause? Want to lower your blood pressure? Whatever your present weight, exercising increases the “good” cholesterol known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lowers the bad cholesterol known as triglycerides. Your blood continues to flow normally as a result of these two factors, lowering your risk of cardiovascular problems.
Numerous health issues and difficulties are prevented or managed by regular exercise, including:
- Stroke
- Metabolic syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Many types of cancer
- Arthritis
- Falls
Additionally, it can help with cognitive development and reduce the risk of dying from any cause.
Exercising elevates mood
Need some emotional support? Or do you need to unwind after a demanding day? Exercise in the gym or a brisk walk can assist. Different brain chemicals are stimulated by physical activity, which may make you feel happier, more at ease, and less stressed.
Regular exercise can also help you feel better about your appearance and yourself, which can increase your confidence and self-esteem.
Exercise increases vigor
Tired from doing housework or grocery shopping? Your muscle strength and endurance can both increase with regular exercise.
Exercise helps your circulatory system function more effectively and distributes oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. Additionally, you have greater energy to complete daily tasks as your heart and lung health improves.
Better sleep is aided by exercise
Struggling to fall asleep? You can sleep better, deeper, and fall asleep more quickly if you exercise regularly. Just remember to avoid exercising right before bedtime if you don’t want to be too stimulated to sleep.
Exercise revitalizes your sexual life
Do you feel too worn out or unfit to appreciate intimate physical contact? Regular exercise can increase your energy levels and confidence in your physical attractiveness, which could enhance your sex life.
However, there is more to it than that. Regular exercise may increase arousal in women. Additionally, guys who frequently exercise are less likely than those who don’t to experience erectile dysfunction issues.
Exercise may be enjoyable, even social!
Physical activity and exercise can be joyful. They allow you the chance to relax, take in the outdoors, or just do things that make you happy. Additionally, engaging in physical activity might facilitate social interactions with loved ones or close friends.
So join a soccer team, go trekking, or take a dance lesson. Find a sport you like, and just start doing it. Bored? Try something new or engage in activities with loved ones or friends.
The verdict on exercise
Physical activity and exercise are fantastic methods to feel better, improve your health, and have fun. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests the following exercise recommendations for the majority of healthy adults:
- Aerobic exercise Get 75 minutes of severe aerobic exercise, 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, or a combination of the two per week. The instructions advise spreading out this activity over the course of a week. At least 300 minutes per week are advised to promote even greater health benefits and help with weight loss or maintaining weight loss. But even a little bit of exercise is beneficial. The cumulative effects of being active throughout the day can be beneficial to your health.
- Exercising your muscles. At least twice a week, perform strength-training activities for all the major muscle groups. When performing each exercise, try to choose a weight or resistance level that causes your muscles to become fatigued after 12 to 15 repetitions.
Exercises that fall under the category of moderate aerobic activity include brisk walking, biking, swimming, and lawn mowing. Running, strenuous yard labor, and aerobic dancing are examples of activities that qualify as vigorous aerobic exercise. Use of weight machines, your own body weight, heavy bags, resistance tubing or paddles in the water, or exercises like rock climbing can all be considered forms of strength training.
You might need to increase your moderate aerobic activity even more if you want to reduce weight, achieve certain fitness goals, or reap additional advantages.
Always see your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen, particularly if you have any worries about your fitness, haven’t worked out in a while, or suffer from chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis.
