Fitness
7 Benefits of Regular Exercise
Do you want to feel better, look better, or simply have more energy? Then you should be looking no further than exercise. The health benefits of working out on a regular basis are impossible to ignore. And you can experience all of the benefits that exercising has to offer, regardless of your age, sex, weight, height, or any other factor for that matter. Here are 7 ways that exercise can improve your health, wellness, and physique.
No. 1: Exercise controls weight
Exercise is the main tool that many people use to control their weight or even lose fat. Anytime you engage in physical activity, you burn additional calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t have to have incredibly long workout sessions to reap the benefits of exercise.
If you don’t have time to get a full workout in, then you can simply burn additional calories in other, creative ways. These include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking in the furthest parking spot away wherever you go, or simply taking a walk around the block and getting some fresh air. As long as it elevates your heart rate and increases your metabolic rate, it can be considered exercise.
No. 2: Exercise fight disease
Are you worried that you might develop cardiovascular disease someday? Want to prevent high blood pressure? No matter how much you weigh or what your diets like, exercise lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers your blood pressure as well. This can keep your blood flowing smoothly throughout your entire body, decreasing your risk of heart disease. But it doesn’t end there – exercising on a regular basis can lower your chance of having a stroke, developing type II diabetes, cancer, depression, arthritis, and so on.
No. 3: Exercise improves mood
Tire of living day to day in a crappy mood? Maybe you need to blow off some steam after a stressful day at work? Hitting the gym for as little as 30 minutes per day can help you do so. Whenever you work out, you’ll release chemicals in your brain known as endorphins, which make you happier and more relaxed. You’ll probably also feel better about your body and self-image when you workout on a regular basis, which has a positive effect on your confidence and self-esteem.
No. 4: Exercise boosts energy
Have you become winded from hitting the grocery store too much or doing too many chores around the house? Working out on a regular basis can improve your endurance and increase your strength. Any type of physical activity will deliver oxygen and nutrients to your heart, brain, and lungs, allowing them to function at an optimal level. And whenever your brain, heart, and lungs are getting more energy, you’ll automatically have more energy to do the daily tasks that you’re trying to do, whatever they may be.
No. 5: Exercise promotes better sleep
Want to fall asleep? How about staying asleep? Regular exercise can help you do both of these things, by improving your sleeping patterns. Just make sure you don’t work out before going to bed or you might be too energized to fall asleep in the first place.
No. 6: Exercise can improve your sex life
Do you feel as if you’re too out of shape or don’t have enough energy to spark intimacy? Regular physical activity can help you look better and have more energy, which would both have a positive effect on your sex life. But there’s a bit more to it than this. If you’re a female, when you start working out on a regular basis you’ll find that you’re aroused much more easily. As for men, they are less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction, due to the fact that they now have increased blood flow throughout their entire body.
No. 7: Exercise can be fun
Exercise is a great way to kill some time. It can give you a chance to unwind, relax, or simply enjoy the activities that you already enjoy doing on a regular basis. Exercise is also a great way to connect with your family or friends in a social setting. So join a baseball team, start taking a dance class, or simply start hitting the gym on a regular basis. Find something that you enjoy and that won’t make you bored and you’ll be golden.
The bottom line
An exercise is a fantastic tool for improving your physique, health, wellness, and even your happiness. As a general guideline, you should strive to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. If your goal is to lose weight or build muscle, then you’ll probably have to hit the gym more frequently. Always be sure to check with your doctor or physician before starting any workout program.