Physical exerciseHarnessing the Benefits of Physical Activity

Harnessing the Benefits of Physical Activity

No matter if it be boot camp workouts, yoga classes, or simply walking with friends. Engaging in even just 15-30 minutes of physical activity every day can boost mood and energy levels significantly.

Exercise doesn’t need to be limited to gym training sessions and sweat buckets for it to bring benefits.

Exercise is Good for Your Brain

Exercise releases chemicals known as endorphins and dopamine that produce feel-good brain chemicals that help you maintain positive feelings and sleep well. Exercise may also enhance your ability to handle stress and anxiety better.

Studies demonstrate the positive benefits of regular aerobic exercise such as walking or running for increasing memory and learning capabilities in your hippocampus, an important area in the brain involved with memory and learning. Furthermore, exercise helps slow cognitive decline associated with age reducing your risk for dementia.

But you don’t have to be a runner to reap these benefits; regular moderate intensity exercise sessions will have just as much of an effect. With this type of workout, “moderate” means working up a sweat but not so intense that talking becomes impossible; consider going for brisk walks or bike rides as alternatives.

Exercise is Good for Your Heart

Like any muscle in the body, exercise is crucial to keeping your heart in good condition. Exercise strengthens it, helps manage weight and lowers risk factors like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure; additionally it may reverse any damage done due to an inactive lifestyle.

American Heart Association recommends sleep as one of their “Life’s Essential 8” health strategies – along with eating well, managing stress effectively, quitting smoking, and engaging in regular physical exercise.

Exercise such as cycling, swimming or jogging to boost cardiovascular fitness. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity or an equivalent combination).

Exercise is Good for Your Bones

Exercise can help increase bone mass and slow the rate of bone loss, strengthening muscles that support bones and decreasing falls or broken bones.

Weight-bearing and resistance training exercises are ideal for bone health. These activities include walking, jogging, basketball, netball, tennis, dancing and impact aerobics – as well as seated pushups using lightweight poles such as broomsticks.

Some low-impact exercises such as swimming and cycling may benefit lung and heart health, but don’t add bone density. To get the maximum benefits from bone strengthening exercises, consult with a health or fitness professional on developing a program involving all major muscle groups; starting off slowly but steadily increasing intensity over time.

Exercise is Good for Your Skin

Maintaining physical fitness doesn’t just involve maintaining a healthy weight or building muscles – it also has a major effect on your skin!

Regular physical activity improves circulation and provides your skin with essential oxygen and nutrients, while sweating removes toxins that clog up pores for healthier-looking skin.

Exercise helps people relieve their stress, which is a leading cause of breakouts and other skin conditions like eczema and rosacea, according to Baumann. Also, working out helps people sleep more soundly – essential components of healthy looking skin!

Exercise is Good for Your Mood

Exercise strengthens muscles and bones, helps trim waistlines, enhances sexual life and extends lifespan – but did you know it can also boost your mood? Exercise can improve mood by regulating hormones, stimulating neurotransmitter release and improving sleep quality.

No matter how intense or short your workout may be, even just walking or running can leave you feeling happier, more relaxed, and less anxious. Aerobic exercise stimulates certain brain chemicals which improve your mood – such as endorphins, dopamine and adrenaline (similar to morphine in that they create that feeling of euphoria commonly experienced after workouts or races – often known as “runner’s high”). Exercise also improves sleep quality and increases hippocampal volume which allows us to remember things such as where we put our car keys.