Just How Important is Exercise?

Posted On: 12-06-2015

Most patients likely understand that exercise is healthy. However, many individuals also assume that exercise is not much of a priority unless they are overweight. It turns out that physical activity can do a lot to improve your life, especially if you are regularly active. Plus, exercise is good for people of all ages, regardless of the type of activity you are doing—from stationary cycling to more aggressive training, here are five ways that exercise can be beneficial:

1. Losing weight – This is an obvious one, but it’s important. Getting active can increase the calories that you are able to burn, which in turn helps you to lose weight or maintain your current weight.

2. Relaxation – Physical activity stimulates the brain into feeling relaxed. As a result, exercise can help to relieve stress and can cause you to experience an emotional boost. The positive effects that exercise has on your appearance can also improve your mood and self-esteem, which in turn can improve your sex life and give you extra energy.

3. Heart health – Regular physical activity provides you with a more efficient cardiovascular system. Exercise increases your HDL (good) cholesterol. This results in more endurance and reduced risk for stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and arthritis.

4. Better rest – Exercise can cause you to experience better sleep at nighttime. Not only will your sleep quality improve, but you will be able to fall asleep more quickly. Keep in mind that exercising too close to bedtime can actually hinder your sleep, so work out earlier in the day if you’re seeking this benefit.

5. Enjoyment – Finding an activity that you enjoy can be worth it just for the benefits of having a hobby. It gives you something to look forward to. If you are working out with others or participating in a fitness class, the social connections are worth it as well.

So, what do you need to do to reap the benefits of exercise? Simply find an activity (or many) that you can enjoy and seek to stay active for about 30 minutes every day. If you need help determining the best physical activity for you, check with your doctor.

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