Exercise Improves Your Mood
Regular exercise and leading an active lifestyle have one thing in common; they help beat anxiety, stress, and depression. This is because exercise and physical body activity trigger increased production and release of endorphins, also known as happy hormones. The more endorphins in the blood, the easier it is for the body and brain to manage stress and anxiety. According to research, exercising daily (preferably early morning hours) improves norepinephrine and serotonin levels. These hormones induce positive energy and wade off worry and pain.
You don’t necessarily need to go to the gym to enjoy these benefits. As little as a 15-minute run, jogging, or swimming is enough to boost your blood endorphin levels. Numerous studies have also shown that individuals who lead an active lifestyle and exercise regularly are seemingly happier and more contented than those who live sedentary lives.
Exercise Promotes Weight Loss
Exercise provides an excellent way to tone your muscles and shed excess weight. The human body burns hundreds of calories in energy during and after exercise. This is due to the increased aerobic and metabolic rates that burn any extra fats stored under the skin. Studies show that putting in at least 15-minute exercise every day can help you lose weight after some time and maintain the preferred body shape. Exercising every day and eating healthy can also help accelerate the rate of weight loss as well. Experts, however, recommend resistance training to maintain lean muscle mass and lose weight. As expected, you need to keep off high-calorie and fast foods to see positive results.
Strengthens Bones And Muscles
Coupled with a healthy diet plan, daily exercise can help build strong bones and muscles. Unknown to many, exercise stimulates increased uptake of amino acids and some minerals. Interestingly, consuming more proteins will boost muscle formation and reduce the breakdown of the same during exercise. This leaves you with stronger, well-toned muscles and bones. Stronger bones and muscles also mean a reduced risk of sustaining an injury.
For this reason, it is highly advisable to spend at least 30 minutes of your time daily putting in some physical exercise. The increased protein and calcium intake will help boost muscle and bone health and come in handy in your old age. Although you might know this, the human body loses muscle mass and function as we age, especially after a certain age. Packing as much lean muscle mass and strong bones in your youthful age is thus good for a stronger you in your golden years.
Boosts Your Energy Levels
According to research, exercise can be an excellent energy booster. A study on 36 individuals reportedly suffering from persistent fatigue confirms this theory. One explanation for this is the increased nutrient uptake after exercising. Aside from this, exercise improves your lung capacity as well as the heart. A stronger heart is more efficient at pumping oxygen-rich blood from the lungs. The increased intake of oxygen and efficient blood delivery is thus a reason for the higher energy levels.
Health experts, especially doctors, recommend little to moderate exercise for most patients, especially those recovering from an accident, surgery, or even cancer. Aerobic training improves lung capacity making it easier to avail more than enough oxygen for absorption effortlessly.
Helps Fight Chronic Conditions
Regular exercise helps promote good heart and lung health. This goes a long way in improving the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to all body parts. Making oxygen-rich blood available to every body part helps fight inflammation, the leading cause of chronic conditions. Studies also show exercise directly affects boosting body composition, insulin sensitivity, and heart health.