Exercise can be defined as any movement that requires your body to work and burn calories. There are different types of physical activity, such as running, walking, swimming, and dancing, to name a few. Although many people know that exercise is good for them, they may not be aware of all the benefits it can bring to their lives, both physically and mentally. In fact, anyone can benefit from incorporating more physical activity into their life, regardless of age, sex, or physical ability. If you need more convincing to stay active, here are seven ways physical activity benefits your health, and can lead to a healthier and happier life.
1. It Improves Your Mood
If you ever need an emotional lift or need to destress after a long and busy day at work, a brisk walk or a gym session can help. This is because exercising regularly stimulates different brain chemicals, which can leave you feeling better and more relaxed. It can increase brain sensitivity to hormones, such as serotonin, which might relieve feelings of depression. You might also feel better about your appearance, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. In addition, the intensity of your workout doesn’t matter, as even gentle exercise can benefit your mood.
2. It Reduces Pain
There are many health conditions that cause pain, such as endometriosis. Although rest and inactivity are often suggested in this case, regular physical activity is what can actually help you relieve pain. If you want to find out more about endometriosis and its symptoms, this guide allows you to learn about the responsible factors and treatment. You may not be able to fully eliminate endometriosis pain, but regular physical activity is a great way to manage your symptoms and decrease the discomfort that you feel over time. It will encourage the circulation of blood to your organs and reduce stress.
3. It Can Help With Weight Loss
Inactivity can have a major influence on weight gain and obesity. When you exercise regularly, your body uses more energy and thus burns more calories, which you might not be able to lose through a diet alone. Therefore, if you want to maintain a healthy weight, you should find types of physical activity that you can stick to. To maximize fat loss and muscle mass maintenance, it’s often recommended to combine aerobic exercise with resistance training. In addition, exercise is an essential part of supporting a healthy metabolism.
4. It Combats Health Conditions
Lack of regular physical activity is one of the most common causes of chronic disease. In the short term, it can lead to significant increases in stomach fat, which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases. Exercise can help you improve insulin sensitivity, body composition, and heart health. It may also decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improve your cognitive function. As a result, daily physical activity can reduce the risk of several cancers, including breast, kidney, lung, ovarian, prostate, and others. Additionally, it can prevent and manage a range of health conditions, such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, anxiety, and depression.
5. It Supports Your Muscles And Bones
Physical activity plays a key role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones, as long as it’s combined with adequate protein intake. Exercising helps to release hormones that promote your muscle’s ability to absorb amino acids, which supports their growth and reduces their breakdown. In addition, as we age, we tend to lose muscle mass, which can increase the risk of injury. However, participating in regular physical activity benefits your health by helping you maintain strength as you age. It may also contribute to building bone density when you are younger, which can prevent osteoporosis at a later stage in life.
6. It Can Enhance Skin Health
As exercise increases blood flow, it can help you nourish skin cells and keep them healthy. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to cells in your body, including the skin. Apart from providing oxygen, blood can carry away waste products, such as free radicals, from working cells. Additionally, since exercise can reduce stress, some skin conditions like acne that are typically exacerbated by stress can show some improvement. This can also help keep the immune system healthy, which means that it will be better at responding to health concerns and combating skin conditions.
7. It Boosts Brain Health And Memory
Finally, physical activity benefits your health by improving brain function and enhancing memory and thinking skills. In some cases, even a single workout can help you improve your focus for the rest of the day. As exercise increases your heart rate, this encourages the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. This stimulates the production of hormones, which leads to the growth of brain cells. Moreover, the ability of physical activity to reduce the risk of chronic diseases also means that there will be benefits for your brain, as its function can be impacted by these conditions.
