Exercise is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. It is just as essential to your health as daily showering and brushing your teeth. The benefits of exercise are too numerous to list, but here are just six that can help motivate you to include exercise in your daily routine.
1. Exercise helps with weight control.
Staying at a healthy weight is more than just a vanity. Keeping your weight under control means that your joints will stay strong and healthy and your blood pressure will stay at an appropriate level. Obesity leads to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and increases your risk for certain types of cancer.
2. Exercise gives you increased strength and flexibility.
Exercise will help you stay stronger, making everyday tasks like carrying groceries, playing with your kids, or cleaning the house easier. Exercise will increase your flexibility so that you can bend over to pick up things and tie your shoes. Increased flexibility and strength in your spine means that you will be less likely to injure your back. You’ll also have better legs and joints, which means you’ll be more mobile in your older age. If you plan on running a lot, you should seriously consult a podiatrist. The ones at Dalhousie Station Foot Clinic can help you make sure your feet are in good health when you start running.
3. Exercise leads to improved energy levels.
If you struggle with your energy level at certain times of day, don't reach for another cup of coffee. Next time you feel yourself start to drag, go for a brisk walk. A 2010 study conducted by Eton University found that workers who exercised in the middle of the day returned to work with more energy and were more effective at their jobs.
4. Exercise relieves stress.
Exercise is a great way to combat stress because a good workout helps your brain release endorphins, chemicals that lift your mood and fight stress. If you have a stressful job or are going through a difficult time, exercise can help you manage your troubles more effectively.
5. Exercise helps you sleep better.
Does insomnia have you roaming the house in the wee hours of the night? The National Sleep Foundation reports that vigorous exercise can help you sleep more deeply and stay asleep at night.
6. Exercise leads to improved memory and brain function.
Scientific American magazine reports that exercise improves the memory and the function of the brain. The research indicates that a good workout increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates the development of more neurons in brain tissue. Staying fit can also stave off dementia.
No matter what your age, your body will benefit from staying in shape. Even if you have never before made the commitment to fitness, you will soon see the blessings of just 30 minutes of strenuous activity each day.