What is Exercise?
Exercise is any movement that requires your muscles to work and your body to burn calories.
There are many types of exercise including walking, running, cycling, swimming, and dancing to name just a few.
Exercise has been shown to have so many health benefits both physically and mentally.
Here are 10 of the top benefits of regular exercise on your body.
1. It improves your mood. Exercise produces changes in the parts of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety. It increases the production of endorphins. What are endorphins? Endorphins are defined as hormone-like substances that are produced in the brain. These are the chemicals that make you feel good and are also the body’s natural pain killers. It also increases serotonin levels, which helps regulate your mood, sleep and appetite.
2. It can help weight loss. Incorporating just 15 minutes of moderate exercise — such as walking one mile — on a daily basis will burn up to 100 extra calories (assuming you don’t consume excess calories in your diet afterwards). Burning 700 calories a week equals 10 lbs. of weight loss over the course of a year.
3. It is good for your muscles and bones. Exercise plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. Why? Because it helps release hormones that promote the ability of your muscles to absorb amino acids. Regular exercise can reduce muscle loss and help you stay strong as you age.
4. It reduces your risk of chronic illness. Regular exercise has been shown to improve heart health and can also decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A lack of exercise can lead to increased belly fat which can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
5. It increases your energy level. New research suggests regular exercise can increase energy levels even among people suffering from chronic medical conditions associated with fatigue, like cancer and heart disease. It may seem counterintuitive, but researchers say expending energy by engaging in regular exercise may pay off with increased energy in the long run. (webmd.)
6. Good for skin health. When you sweat, for example, exercise opens your pores -- and it’s clogged pores that cause acne. Exercise also gets your heart rate up, which increases your blood flow and nourishes your skin.
7. Its great for brain health and memory. Exercise increases your heart rate promoting blood flow and gets more oxygen to your brain. It has been shown that cardio exercise can result in new cell growth in the brain. It also helps you to focus.(source)
8. It improves sleep quality. Exercise can help you get into a deeper sleep pattern. (source)
9. It can help reduce chronic pain. Exercise increases blood flow, builds muscle around the joints, lubricates and nourishes the joints, improves range of motion, and removes cellular waste.(source)
10. It can promote a better sex life. Because it strengthens the heart and increases blood flow exercise can improve sexual performance in both men and women.
If you don't have a regular exercise program in place start today with just a short 10 minute walk increasing as your body feels like it. And if you have any health issues be sure to check with your doctor before you begin any exercise routine. I am not a doctor and am not here to treat, cure, or diagnose any disease.
Happy Oiling,
Anna
