Moving your body on the regular really is the key to leading a long, happy, and healthy life. If you’re dipping your toe in the active lifestyle or you’re looking to amp up your pre-existing routine, it can feel a little daunting. Intimidating images of super-fit enthusiasts are everywhere, with intense routines and seemingly unattainable results at every turn, you’d be forgiven for feeling totally overwhelmed when you’re starting out on a new fitness journey. The secret to enduring and sticking to your pledge to a healthier you? Focusing on the benefits! Here are ten of the most significant benefits that physical activity offers up…
Mood Boost
One of the most significant benefits of physical activity of any kind is that it pretty much immediately boosts your mood. The spike in endorphins that comes from getting your heart pumping and your body moving makes you feel bright, positive, and full of happiness, both now and into the future. Next time you find yourself in a grouch or a down period, just try some light exercise, see how you feel afterward – chances are, you’ll feel better, and you’ll get hooked! Also, it is proven that regular working out can increase the amount of endorphins production, which helps us to feel happier and more positive. Moreover, we can see that many people today struggle with anxiety, and exercises are one of the best ways to improve your mental state.
Weight Loss
Weight loss is largely associated with diet, but exercise helps to build powerful muscles, kick start your metabolism and put all that good food that you’re consuming to use. Fat loss and muscle maintenance are essential for keeping weight off and for losing mass, so working out is a fantastic habit to form if you’re looking to slim down. With the combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise, your metabolism will become faster, and you will burn more calories each day, which leads to losing weight and controlling it.
Muscle and Bone Health
Your muscles and bones are going to massively benefit from regular physical activity. Exercise releases hormones that aid the absorption of amino acids in your body. Amino acids promote muscle growth and prevent bone erosion – keeping you active now and way down the line. Also, you should know that competitive sports like basketball and football can have the best impact on your bone density. The main benefit of keeping your bones and muscles healthy is avoiding health issues in older age, like osteoporosis.
Stabilized or Increased Energy Levels
Increased and regular levels of energy are such a great side effect of even just light physical activity. Fatigue makes your day to day life harder, and whilst the initial effort of extra exercise might seem counter-intuitive, it actually transforms your energy levels, no matter what your physical condition or health status might be. Moreover, being more physically active can help people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, and other diseases.
Pain Regulation
That feel-good force that was touched on above? That can really help with the management of pain. Inactivity will really only make pain (chronic or otherwise) worse. Try light exercise after consulting with your physiotherapist, physician or doctor to start on your path to a happier day to day life. Your body will become more resistant to injuries when you are more active since you will get stronger muscles and bones, along with the increased energy.
Skin Health
Physical activity increases circulation which helps to improve your skin health! Exercise creates better blood flow which distributes more skin-loving properties all around your body. That happy, healthy glow doesn’t go away after you get your breath back! Enjoy better skin health and balanced hormones for a perfected face, long term. While there is a chance to hurt yourself if you don’t pay attention and work out too much, regular activities could lead your body to release antioxidants that help in protecting cells and better circulation of the blood, which also leads to healthier and younger-looking skin.
Brain Health and Memory
Who would have thought that you could improve your memory with regular light exercise? Physical activity helps to up your brain function, strengthening your thinking and recollection skills. Your heightened heart rate encourages the flow of oxygen to your brain, stimulating your brain. You will also enjoy a higher production of healthy hormones, stimulating the growth of brain cells. Besides having a positive effect on your skin, muscles, and other parts of the body, working out could lead to improved circulation of blood to the brain, which can improve mental stability and better memory. On the other hand, there are some indications that exercises could help people with some mental diseases like schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and more.
Sleep Quality
The energy depletion that happens during your exercising efforts promotes a deeper recuperative period of rest at night. It is also understood that the higher body temperature that results from physical activity improves your sleep. Sleep longer and better with regular exercise. Regulation of sleeping patterns is very important and can have a huge effect on your overall health and mental state.
Relaxation
Switching off and really making the most out of your downtime is essential, and exercise can actually help your brain and body to totally unwind whenever you get the chance. The increased recuperative period causes your body to totally relax during periods of quiet time whilst your brain will be completely at peace. Work hard, play hard is a saying for a reason! Also, you will perform much better in many situations, no matter if they require some physical or mental abilities. Besides that, you will become able to handle pressure, especially at work.
Increased Mobility
Better flexibility and mobility are brilliant benefits of hitting the gym, playing your favorite sports, or just getting outside and going for a brisk walk or a gentle jog. If you want a professional to guide you through your process with custom exercises and advice, consider visiting a physiotherapist like Evoker for a few core physio sessions. This is going to transform your form and help you to consistently improve your health, long term.
Last Words
We can see that a lot of people today are struggling with obesity, various health issues, or mental problems like anxiety. In that matter, you should know that even occasional exercises could have a great positive impact on your health. You should train at least half an hour each day to feel all of the benefits that can improve your health. Also, people who are in training feel much more attractive and have improved self-esteem. There are many things that you could improve in your life if you choose to become more active, like mental state, better look, love life, increased confidence, and much more. With a proper diet and exercise plan, you could completely change your routine and become much more satisfied with yourself.