Author: Vedika Luthra (1 minute read)
Your body and your mind need energy to function and exercise is the key way to get that. Whether your goal is bodybuilding, running a marathon, or staying active, exercise is essential to your mental and physical health, especially as you age.
There are so many physical benefits to exercising. Daily runs can reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. It also improves blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and enhances the efficiency of the heart and lungs. Daily exercise can also help maintain a healthy weight and increase your metabolism. On top of that, it can lower the risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and metabolic syndrome, or help manage symptoms, improving outcomes for chronic conditions. Your body also has a better ability to fight diseases and reduce inflammation.
Moreover, exercise strengthens muscles, improves joint function, enhances bone density, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. It also improves your endurance and flexibility!
Exercise can also help with your mental health. Being active releases endorphins, reducing depression and anxiety. It also helps with cognitive functions, such as memory and concentration, while reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. If you have trouble sleeping at night or suffer from insomnia, daily exercise can help with that too. Exercise can also make you more confident, allowing you to be outgoing and happy, which in turn allows socializing and meeting new people!
Overall, exercise improves your mental and physical health so you can live longer and have a better quality of life. It is recommended by the World Health Organization that you do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. Muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week are also an essential part of staying active. Remember, you should make exercising fun, turning it into a game, or giving yourself a sweet treat at the end!
Citations
World Health Organization. "Physical Activity." World Health Organization, 26 Nov. 2020, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity.
World Health Organization. "Physical Activity and Adults." World Health Organization, www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_adults/en/.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Physical Activity and Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 Apr. 2021, www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Benefits of Physical Activity." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 June 2023, www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm.
American Heart Association. "Benefits of Physical Activity." American Heart Association, 2023, www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-infographic.
National Institutes of Health. "Physical Activity for Health." National Institutes of Health, 2 Mar. 2020, www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/physical-activity-improves-quality-life.
Mayo Clinic. "Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity." Mayo Clinic, 1 Nov. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389.
Harvard Medical School. "The Benefits of Exercise for Your Physical and Mental Health." Harvard Health Publishing, 14 Dec. 2022, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-exercise.
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