When Socrates had to deal with the importance of exercise, his first thought was to connect it with health. He initially expressed the opinion that “when bodies become soft, souls lose their strength” and then explained it more: “Gymnastics is superior to medicine because having health is preferable to trying to recover. At the same time, it brings about the harmony of natural beauty, which does not come from artificial methods”.
The truth is that in their evolution, humanity and science have agreed through successive studies that exercise can only do good and this has to do with every part of our lives. From enhancing mood to improving sexuality, exercise can improve everyday life and protect our present and future.
So in general: Do you want to feel better, have more energy and even add years to your life? The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from this exercise, regardless of age, gender or physical ability. Some people work out as soon as they get out of bed while others barely make it to the gym. Exercise requires a lot of effort for some people, but the health benefits are huge and the risk of injury is relatively small. These benefits can be multiplied if you combine them with a healthy lifestyle.
Let’s see the reasons why those who haven’t done it yet should include it in their program…
So, what are the advantages of exercise for your overall health?
EXERCISE MAKES OUR MOOD
It helps mental health.
Exercise does not only benefit the body! Frequent exercise can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Continuing to exercise as the years go by can prevent cognitive decline.
Need an emotional lift? Or maybe you feel like you need to vent after a stressful day? A little exercise or a brisk walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that are capable of making you feel happier, more relaxed and less anxious. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
EXERCISE BOOSTS ENERGY
Regular physical activity can improve muscle strength and increase your endurance. Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and helps the cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And as your heart and lung health improves, you will have more energy to tackle daily tasks ranging from the most basic needs to the most complex and difficult obligations. This will give you a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
EXERCISE FIGHTS DISEASE
It helps the metabolism.
Those who exercise frequently tend to have fewer metabolic problems, such as type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. If someone has metabolic syndrome, he is likely to have any of the following symptoms: high blood sugar, high triglycerides, extra belly fat and low levels of “good” cholesterol. The more exercise you do, the less likely you are to develop these health problems.
It improves cardiovascular health.
Don’t worry about heart disease. People who exercise frequently have a reduced risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart disease and stroke, compared to those who do not exercise. Just 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity every week and at regular intervals will give you this advantage. An active, athletic person has lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than sedentary people.
You can drop high blood pressure. Regardless of your current weight, being active increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol, and lowers unhealthy triglycerides. This function reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
More generally though, regular exercise helps prevent or manage many health problems and
issues, such as:
- Stroke
- Metabolic syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
It reduces the chances of cancer.
People who stay fit have a lower risk of some types of cancer, including colon cancer, breast cancer and, according to new studies, endometrial cancer as well as lung cancer.
Strengthens bones.
Osteoporosis makes bones weaker and fractures more likely to happen. While this condition is associated with advanced age, exercising significantly helps reduce the incidence of osteoporosis. No specialized exercises are needed – a few minutes of brisk walking, dancing and weight training will ‘hold’ the bones in place, making them stronger and reducing the chance of fracture.
It gives longevity.
According to studies, exercise gives longevity. More specifically, 7 hours a week will increase your chances of living longer by 40%, compared to those who adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Finally, don’t forget that the more years you train; the more difficult it is to get injured from a fall or develop a mobility problem.
It can also help improve cognitive function through NEUROPLASTICITY!
EXERCISE CONTROLS WEIGHT
Losing weight or preventing excessive weight gain can be achieved through exercise. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. In general, doing any physical activity is better than doing none. You can walk or exercise with simple FITNESS RUBBERS and a FITNESS MAT or exercise with the most expensive and complex fitness instruments, such as a PILATES BED or a multi-machine. Either way will benefit you. To reap the benefits of exercise, simply be more active throughout your day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or do your chores around the house. Consistency is key.
EXERCISE BOOSTS LOVE LIFE
Feeling too tired or out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can improve your energy levels and increase your self-confidence about your physical appearance, which can boost your sex life. Of course, there is more to it than that. Regular physical activity can enhance arousal for women. Men who exercise regularly are less likely to have erectile dysfunction problems than men who don’t.
EXERCISE PROMOTES BETTER SLEEP
A regular physical activity routine can help you sleep better, fall asleep faster, and reduce insomnia. Just don’t exercise too close to bedtime, otherwise, you may have too much energy that may backfire making you unable to fall asleep right away. But more generally, it will leave you with a sweet feeling of tiredness and the desire to rest.
EXERCISE IS FUN AND SOCIAL
Exercise and physical activity can be pleasant breaks in everyday life. They allow you to relax, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So take a dance class, hit the hiking trails, or join a soccer team. Find some physical activity that you enjoy and do it. Try something new or do something pleasant with friends or family.
THE ESSENCE IN EXERCISE
For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends:
- A minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Adding even a small amount of physical activity to your day, such as walking, running, or swimming, can benefit your health.
- Strength training for all major muscle groups at least twice a week. Lifting free weights (eg with WEIGHT BARS), using exercise machines or bodyweight training. Share your activities throughout the week. If you want to lose weight, meet specific fitness goals, or get even more benefits by increasing your moderate aerobic activity to 300 minutes or more per week.
Remember to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have concerns about your fitness, haven’t exercised in a long time, or have chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis…
