Discovering the Health Benefits of Exercise
One of the biggest benefits of exercise is having a good balance. It doesn't matter if it's jogging on the treadmill or simply picking up a ball and swinging it in your hand, you need to find some kind of balance to keep yourself motivated. Just like it's hard to stay motivated at work when there are too many distractions, it's nearly impossible to get your exercise done when there are no good plans or targets to follow. You just have to find your way and keep going.
But even when you're at the gym or doing an elliptical or several hours of pushups, sometimes the only way to really feel better is to do some exercise. Exercising helps you clear your mind, which will in turn help you live a happier and fuller life. Not only that, exercise can even add years to your life. It can lift your mood, which will make you feel better about yourself and more likely to take those positive opportunities that come your way. Sex is also easier to enjoy when you're in shape. So, if you've ever felt a little down and frustrated because you just don't have the drive or energy to go out and have fun with your partner, then you'll want to make sure you're doing the exercises regularly.
But even when you're doing the minimum amount of physical activity necessary to remain healthy, you'll still benefit from the other health benefits of regular exercise. Aerobic exercises to boost your heart rate, which provides oxygen-rich blood to every cell in your body. If you get enough exercise, you'll have an increased capacity for nutrients and even energy to perform more physical activities. But regular aerobic activity burns fat. It's a fact! There is so much more to it than that, however.
Regular exercise will keep your joints limber and reduce your risk of arthritis. The stronger your body gets, the more effectively you can use your joints. Even small, simple exercises like stair climbing can make a big difference. A study conducted in Finland compared sedentary people (people who seldom exercise) with those who participated in moderate levels of physical activity and found that the people who participated in more frequent exercise were more likely to have lower joint pain.
Exercise can also help prevent type 2 diabetes. It may sound counter-intuitive, but regular exercise may make your body produces a certain hormone called endorphin that can counteract the effect of high blood sugar on your diabetes. The hormone endorphin may act as a natural suppressor of blood glucose, minimizing the effect of insulin on your body and increasing your metabolic rate. Regular exercise also boosts your confidence and emotional well-being, which can lead you to better health, both mental health and physical.
Regular physical activity also helps lower your blood pressure. A study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine reported that people who engaged in exercise at least three times a week had lower blood pressure at the end of the six-week testing period than those who did not exercise. The exercise helps improve blood flow through your body and increases your cardiac output, which helps in lowering your blood pressure. Exercise has been known to increase muscle strength and stamina. These physical benefits make exercise an important part of any weight loss plan.
Another benefit of regular exercise may help you fall asleep faster at night. Most people are unaware that exercise affects the brain's chemical make-up, allowing it to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is known as the feel-good hormone. Exercise has been known to increase feelings of social support and confidence, which can make it easier for you to fall asleep at night. Other studies show that exercise is beneficial to aid in memory consolidation. This would be beneficial if you suffer from poor short-term memory or have problems focusing ahead in life.
It is easy to see the many physical benefits of exercise. However, one of the biggest health benefits of exercise comes in the form of its impact on your emotional well being. Studies have shown that regular physical activity may reduce stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional disorders. Your doctor should be able to provide you with specific examples of how exercise positively affects your emotions. As a result, the exercise could be just as important to your mental well being as it is to your physical well being. If you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep at night, consider making an appointment with your doctor and incorporating regular exercise into your lifestyle.
