THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

No matter what age you are, exercise and physical activity are extremely beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing. There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to exercise – the possibilities and varieties are endless. As the human body ages, it’s especially important to keep up with physical activity, as it can help to enhance mobility, flexibility, and balance. Exercise not only provides various physical benefits but mental and emotional benefits as well. Here are just a few of the many benefits of exercise:

COMBAT HEALTH CONDITIONS AND CHRONIC DISEASES

Good cardiovascular health is extremely important as it can lower your risk for developing chronic diseases. Regular exercise has been shown to improve your cholesterol, body composition, and cardiovascular fitness while decreasing blood pressure and blood fat levels. Maintaining these can lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.

BRAIN HEALTH AND MEMORY

In older adults, aging, combined with oxidative stress and inflammation, can promote changes in brain structure and function. Exercise helps to improve brain function by increasing your heart rate – promoting the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. It can also stimulate your hormones to enhance the growth of brain cells. Some studies even show exercise can reduce the changes in the brain that can cause Alzheimer’s disease.

REDUCE CHRONIC PAIN

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, it can truly be debilitating. Exercise can actually help to reduce it and has been shown to have favorable effects on the pain that is associated with various conditions. Of course, it is advised to check with your physician first before beginning any new type of exercise or vigorous activity that could negatively impact your chronic pain.

IMPROVE MOOD AND HAPPINESS

Physical exercise can be a huge stress reliever. The endorphins produced when your heart is pumping have been shown to reduce feelings of sadness, depression, and anxiety – while producing positive feelings! It doesn’t matter how intense your workout is, if you start moving your body, your mood will benefit.

INCREASE ENERGY LEVELS

If you’re feeling tired and worn out on a regular basis, try incorporating 30 minutes of physical activity into your day a few days a week. Exercise has been known to boost energy in healthy people as well as those suffering from various medical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and even cancer. If you make regular exercise a habit, you will begin to notice the effects on your energy levels in a short amount of time. 

MAINTAIN STRONG MUSCLES AND BONES

As we age, it’s extremely important to maintain strength, muscle mass and function – without it, we’re more prone to injuries and disabilities. Exercise releases hormones that promote the ability of your muscles to absorb amino acids, thus reducing their breakdown. Just as exercise helps to build bone density when we’re younger, it can help prevent osteoporosis later in life.

RECOMMENDED EXERCISES

• Running
• Cycling
• Group Fitness
• Yoga
• Swimming