In modern life, people are under pressure from both work and personal life. Those who are highly focused mentally are in dire need of a way to relieve this pressure.
Although people know that exercise is beneficial to their bodies and can help alleviate stress, they are not quite clear about the specific benefits.
Follow me! See how exercise can improve your life.
Want to feel better, have more energy, and even add a few years to your life? Exercise!
The benefits of regular exercise and physical activity on health cannot be ignored. Everyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical fitness, can benefit from exercise.
Do you need more convincing reasons to get moving? Here are seven ways exercise can make you happier and healthier.
- Exercise Helps Control Weight
Exercise helps prevent excessive weight gain or helps you maintain your weight. When engaging in physical activity, your body consumes calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn.
Regular gym workouts are great, but if you can’t dedicate a lot of time to exercise every day, don’t worry. Any amount of activity is better than none.
To reap the benefits of exercise, just try to be active as much as possible throughout the day. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or do more housework. Consistency is key. - Exercise Can Combat Health Conditions and Diseases
Worried about heart disease? Want to prevent high blood pressure? Regardless of your current weight, being more active can increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) and reduce unhealthy triglycerides.
This two-pronged approach can keep your blood flowing smoothly and reduce the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases (i.e., cardiovascular diseases). - Exercise Can Boost Mood
Need a mood lift? Or, need to unwind after a stressful day? Going to the gym or taking a brisk walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various chemicals in the brain that make you feel happier, more relaxed, and less anxious.
Regular exercise can also make you more satisfied with your appearance and improve your self-esteem, thereby enhancing confidence and self-worth. - Exercise Can Increase Energy Levels
Feel tired after shopping or doing housework? Regular physical activity can improve muscle strength and endurance.
Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and helps the cardiovascular system work more efficiently. When your cardiopulmonary health improves, you’ll have more energy to handle daily chores. - Exercise Improves Sleep
Trouble falling asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, improve sleep quality, and deepen sleep. Avoid exercising close to bedtime, as it may keep you too energized to fall asleep. - Exercise Can Revitalize Your Sex Life
Are you too tired or self-conscious about your body to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can boost energy levels and improve your confidence in your appearance, thereby enhancing the quality of your sex life.
But there’s more to it. Regular physical activity can enhance sexual arousal in women. Compared to men who don’t exercise, men who exercise regularly are less likely to experience erectile dysfunction. - Exercise Is Fun and Can Boost Social Interaction!
Exercise and physical activity can be fun. They give you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, or just do something that makes you happy. Physical activity can also help you bond more strongly with family or friends in a fun social setting.
So, join a dance class, go hiking, or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy and do it. Feeling bored? Try something new or do something with friends or family.
Exercise Makes You Feel Better and Enjoy the Fun
Exercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better, improve health, and have fun. For most healthy adults, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides the following exercise guidelines:
Aerobic activity. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or an equivalent combination of both, spread throughout the week. Strive to include this amount of activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.
For additional health benefits, the guidelines recommend increasing the amount of moderate-intensity aerobic activity to 300 minutes or more per week. This amount of activity may help you lose weight or maintain weight loss. However, even small amounts of physical activity can be beneficial. Doing short bursts of activity multiple times a day can add to your overall activity level and provide health benefits.
Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two days a week. Just one set of each exercise is enough to gain health and fitness benefits. Use a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after 12 to 15 repetitions.
Examples of moderate-intensity aerobic activities include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, and mowing the lawn.
Examples of vigorous-intensity aerobic activities include running, swimming laps, heavy gardening, and aerobic dancing.
You can do strength training using weight machines or free weights, resistance bands, water resistance paddles, or activities like rock climbing.
If you aim to lose weight, maintain weight loss, or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to increase the amount of exercise you get.
