Exercising has many benefits, it boosts your mood, improves your overall health and contributes to greatly improving your physical abilities. Sport is not just a physical activity, it is an effective way to improve the quality of your life and improve your mental and physical health. Want to feel better, increase your energy and live longer? Exercise is the answer. The benefits of exercise and physical activity are undeniable, and they benefit everyone, regardless of age, gender or fitness level. If you need extra motivation to start exercising, discover how some exercise can boost your health and make your life happier.
Exercise Controls Weight:
Exercise can help prevent excessive weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you exercise, your body burns calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn.
Going to the gym regularly is a great idea, but don’t worry if you don’t find enough time to exercise every day. Any amount of physical activity is better than none at all. To get the benefits of exercise, all you have to do is be more active throughout the day. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator or speed up your household chores. Consistency is key to achieving your goals.
2. Exercise Fights Health Conditions and Diseases
Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? Being physically active, regardless of your current weight, can help increase your levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol, and reduce unhealthy triglycerides. This dual effect is what keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which reduces your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease.
Regular exercise can help prevent or treat health problems and concerns, including:
Stroke.
Metabolic syndrome.
High blood pressure.
Type 2 diabetes.
Depression.
Anxiety.
Many types of cancer.
Arthritis.
Falls.
It can also help improve cognitive function and reduce your risk of death from all causes.
3. Exercise improves your mood
Do you need a boost? Or do you need to relieve stress and tension after a hard day? Going to the gym or going for a brisk walk might help, as physical activity stimulates several brain chemicals that can make you 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 increases energy
Do you feel stressed from going shopping or doing housework? Regular physical activity can help strengthen your muscles and increase your endurance.
Exercise helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your body’s tissues and helps your cardiovascular system function more efficiently. When your heart and lungs are healthy, you’ll have more energy to do your daily tasks.
5. Exercise Promotes Better Sleep
Do you have trouble falling asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and help you sleep soundly. Don’t exercise too close to bedtime or you’ll be too energetic to fall asleep.
6. Exercise adds spark to your sex life
Do you feel too tired or physically unable to enjoy sex? Regular physical activity can improve your energy levels and give you more confidence about your physical appearance, which can boost your sex life.
It has many more benefits than that. Regular physical activity can improve arousal in women, too. Men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than those who don’t.
7. Exercise can be fun and social!
Exercise and physical activity can be fun. It gives you a chance to relax, enjoy the outdoors, or simply engage in activities that bring you joy and pleasure. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in fun social gatherings.
So take a dance class, go hiking, or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy and do it. Bored? Try something new, or do something with friends or family.
Exercise to feel better and have fun
Exercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better, improve your health, and have fun. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines for most healthy adults:
Aerobic activity. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity. Or at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week. You can also combine moderate and vigorous activity in equal amounts. Aim to spread these exercises over a few days of the week.
For additional health benefits, the guidelines suggest getting 300 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity each week. Exercising at this rate can help you lose weight or maintain it after losing weight. But even a little bit of physical activity is beneficial. Getting activity in short bursts throughout the day can make a difference and provide health benefits.
Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least twice a week. Doing one set of each exercise is enough to achieve health and physical benefits. Use enough weight or resistance to reach muscle failure after 12 to 15 repetitions.
Moderate aerobic activity includes activities such as brisk walking, biking, swimming and mowing the lawn.
Violent aerobic activity includes activities such as running, swimming laps, heavy gardening and aerobic dancing.
You can do strength training using weight machines, free weights, your own body weight, heavy bags or resistance bands. You can also use resistance paddles in the water, or do activities such as rock climbing.
If you want to lose weight, maintain weight loss or achieve specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more.
Remember to check with your health care professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any fitness issues or haven't exercised in a long time. Or if you have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis.