Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity
You know exercise is good for you, but do you know how good?
From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can
improve your life.
Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live
longer? Look no further than exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise
and physical activity are hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are
yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability. Need
more convincing to exercise? Check out these seven ways exercise can improve
your life.
1. Exercise controls weight
Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help
maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories.
The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don't need to
set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If
you can't do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple
ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household
chores.
2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases
Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood
pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density
lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy
triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which
decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical
activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and
concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression,
certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.
3. Exercise improves mood
Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after
a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help.
Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling
happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and
yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and
improve your self-esteem.
4. Exercise boosts energy
Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular
physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.
Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and
help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and
lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily
chores.
5. Exercise promotes better sleep
Struggling to fall asleep? Or to stay asleep? Regular
physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just
don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall
asleep.
6. Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life
Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical
intimacy? Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking
better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to
it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women.
And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile
dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.
7. Exercise can be fun
Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend
some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, 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 a physical activity you enjoy, and
just do it. If you get bored, try something new.
The bottom line on exercise
Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel
better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least
30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet
specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Remember to check with
your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you haven't
exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease,
diabetes or arthritis, or you have any concerns.
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