There are many benefits to exercising. While most people view the main benefit as weight loss, there are other reasons to exercise. Below are just five reasons to exercise:
1) Reduces the risk of cardiac disease.
The heart is a muscle and by exercising, you can strengthen it just as you would any other muscle. Adding exercise can improve the way your heart pumps blood throughout your body. When you do not exercise, the heart muscle can weaken. In this weakened state, damage can occur such as narrowing of the arteries, causing high blood pressure and heart blockages, which can cause a heart attack.
2) Stress RelieverAnother benefit of exercise is that it helps reduce stress. Cortisol is a hormone that is released when life gets stressful. Chronic levels of stress can have profound negative effects on the body including increased weight gain, heart disease, and create hormonal imbalances. When you exercise, your body burns off cortisol and releases endorphins which are the “feel good” hormones. In running, this has been referred to as a “runner’s high.” This release helps to reduce stress levels and decrease the negative effects associated with it.
3) Reduces/Relieves Depression
As with stress, depression can be reduced or relieved with exercise. When you exercise, the body increases its production of serotonin. It is believed that an imbalance in the level of serotonin can lead to depression. Serotonin is a chemical in the body that helps relay messages. These messages affect such areas as your appetite, sleep, memory and mood. Having higher serotonin levels as a result of exercising helps reduce depression.
4) Reduce/eliminate insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or to remain asleep. It can be caused by many different factors. Exercise can help reduce or eliminate insomnia. When you exercise, you raise your body temperature. If you exercise in the late afternoon and early evening, you will have a gradual decline in your body temperature throughout the evening. This gradual decline helps promote the need to fall asleep. Exercise also helps to improve insomnia through the release of endorphins and serotonin. Insomnia can be related to higher levels of anxiety, stress or depression and reducing these factors can improve your sleep. 5) Reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes
A sedentary lifestyle reduces your body’s ability to regulate glucose and insulin levels. When food is broken down into glucose, the body produces insulin to help convert the glucose into energy. In a sedentary person, the insulin cannot effectively convert the glucose to energy, but instead the glucose is converted to fat. This conversion to fat creates higher levels of blood sugar which lead to type 2 diabetes. When you exercise, your body burns glucose and helps regulate the insulin released. By regulating your glucose and insulin, you can reduce your risk of acquiring Type 2 Diabetes.
While these are just 5 benefits, including exercise in your daily routine can greatly improve your overall health.
Before exercising, it is important to consult a doctor.
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