5 Benefits of Regular Exercise
5 Benefits of Regular Exercise
Ever have those days when you are just so unmotivated to exercise? I think we have all been there before. In this article, we wanted to review some of the benefits of regularly exercising to motivate you to get your daily exercise in. No excuses, no putting it off. It’s time to go for it. Physical activity has numerous health benefits. It can reduce your risk of certain types of cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes, as well as improve your mood, sleep, energy, self-esteem and body weight. It can also strengthen your muscles and bones, reduce your risk of falls and improve your balance. Listed below are five reasons why physical activity is essential.
1. Exercise controls weight
2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases
If you are worried about heart disease and even high blood pressure, no matter what your current weight is, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, and it decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercise can help prevent or manage many health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, many types of cancer, arthritis and falls. Exercise also improves your cognitive function.
3. Exercise improves mood
Feeling down? Need an emotional lift? Or even just feeling the need to destress? A gym session can definitely help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.
You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
4. Exercise boosts energy
Winded by the busy aspects of work, running errands etc.? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.
Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.
5. Exercise promotes better sleep
Struggling to snooze? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energised to go to sleep.
The bottom line on exercise
From now on, on those days you feel unmotivated to exercise, try to remember all the fantastic benefits of physical activity and the fact that it can actually bring your mood up!