You may think that the answer to this question is simple, to help you lose weight. But, the health benefits of exercise are much more far-reaching than that. Regular exercise is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and if you do not add this into your life, you will eventually suffer as a consequence. Exercise can help you combat the onset of disease and can help you maintain a positive mental attitude. It is able to boost you in so many ways to enhance your sense of well being and your mood. Here are some of the major benefits of regular exercise:
1. It can reduce your chances of developing heart disease.
Regular exercise improves the circulation of blood in the body and makes the heart stronger and can safeguard against a heart attack. By exercising, blood flow is increased, and therefore, oxygen is carried around you more easily and reduces your blood pressure, and cholesterol in the body, it also helps prevent coronary artery disease.
2. It improves your happiness.
Exercise has the ability to increase your mood, decrease depression, and can reduce your levels of anxiety and stress. When you exercise, endorphins are released, which flood the body with a feel-good factor. Not only that, but exercise also increases how the brain regulates serotonin and norepinephrine, which are happy hormones. Therefore exercise creates a chemical reaction on the brain, which increases your happiness on a molecular level.
3. It Helps prevent diabetes
Exercise has the ability to manage the production of insulin in the body. It can lower your blood sugar levels, and that means that the body can use insulin better. By doing this, you can reduce the risk you have for developing metabolic syndrome and also type 2 diabetes. Not only can it help prevent these two illnesses, if you suffer from them, but exercise can also help you live a more normal life with them.
4. It can improve the strength of your muscles and bones.
Exercise promotes the release of certain hormones, which means that the muscles and bones are more able to absorb amino acids, which help them grow and repair. As we age, loss of bone mass is an unfortunate side effect; regular exercise increases your bone mass and therefore helps prevent some of the signs of aging.
5. It may prevent the onset of some cancers.
By exercising and reducing hormones such as insulin and working toxins out of the body, you are able to prevent at least 13 cancers, including colon, breast, and lung. If you have cancer, exercise can also help you overcome it.
6. It boosts your immune system and helps you live longer.
Exercise can actually make your body more able to fight off infection and illness. So when there is a cold going around, the fitter your body is, the better your immune system is too, and the healthier you are and the more infections you can fight off the longer you will live. What could be better?
7. It can keep your mind sharp.
Finding a way to look after your mind as you age is absolutely vital. Without having a proper cognitive function, you are vulnerable to many things. By exercising regularly you will be stimulating the release of certain proteins and chemicals in the body that actually has the effect of improving how your brain works both functionally and structurally.
8. It increases your energy levels.
If you exercise, you will find that you will be less lethargic and feel more able to go out and do things. You will simply feel better. Moreover, if you are suffering from an illness such as cancer, exercise can help you increase your energy levels and relieve your suffering a little.
9. It can make your skin shine.
By increasing blood flow to the skin, you are allowing for natural skin adaptations that can stop cells being damaged that lead to aging. In addition, exercise reduces oxidative stress levels, which can have a negative effect on the skin. Oxidative stress means free radicals are free to damage your skin. Exercising reduces this.
As you can see, there are many ways exercise can benefit you. So if you do not have a regular exercise routine, you should think about starting one. You obviously do not have to start running a marathon every day or go to the gym ten times a week. Why not stay with something a little less intense. You could develop morning yoga routines instead. Or perhaps increase your walking levels. It is up to you how you start, but who wouldn’t want to be happier, look healthier, and live longer?
