Exercise – The Best Medicine
We’ve all heard that exercise is very important for our health and well-being. Doctors around the world recommend that everyone get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. The problem is that most of us are still not getting the physical activity that we need due to hectic work schedules, not having access to a gym, or lacking the willpower to do so. Over the past decades, we have become more and more sedentary. Years ago, our ancestors would be on the move all day long. Nowadays, we spend hours sitting behind a desk, getting up to go sit in our cars and drive back home. We are lacking the physical activity that is essential for our physical and mental well-being. Because of this, we are plagued with disease, stress, and mental health issues.
Exercise and Physical Health
Exercise is very essential for our physical health. One of the biggest benefits is that working out increases our high-density lipoprotein (HDL ) cholesterol and decreases triglycerides. This increase in the “good” stuff and decrease in the “bad” stuff helps healthy blood flow freely throughout our bodies. This decreases our risk for heart disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and certain types of cancers. Your lungs also benefit greatly from exercise. They work more efficiently and effectively when exercise is performed.
Exercise seems to decelerate the process of aging. The physical activity strengthens your muscles, improves flexibility, and decreases bone loss. Women that exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing osteoporosis. Regular workouts also decrease your risk of developing arthritis and bone or muscle injuries. The following Mayo Clinic website has excellent information on the health benefits of exercise:
Exercise and Mental Health
So, you managed to drag yourself to the gym and get through a rigorous workout and then you find yourself realizing that 1. It wasn’t that bad and 2. You feel excellent after the workout. We’ve all experienced the happy, energized feeling that a good workout leaves us with. This is because your brain releases endorphins when you exercise that produce a “happy state”. These endorphins are also natural pain relievers that can have an effect similar to morphine, which is why you sometimes find that your headache disappeared after your workout. The brain also releases serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters that elevate your mood. In addition, working out results in individuals feeling more confident about their bodies and have higher self-esteem.
Exercise not only makes you feel happier and better about yourself, it can help relieve some chronic mental health illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Studies over the years have consistently shown that regular physical activities are associated with a decrease in these chronic illnesses.
No Gym, No Problem
We all have a million excuses of why we cannot exercise. So, you can’t afford a gym, no problem. There are a lot of different physical activities that you can do that don’t require a gym membership. The great outdoors is a great place to exercise when weather permits. Go for a jog around your neighborhood or on a trail, visit some hiking trails in your city, ride a bike around town, go swimming, or play some sports. The possibilities are endless and you can mix them up so that you are never bored. The key is to look for opportunities in your city. If your city has tracks and trails then take advantage of them. You can also sign up for sports team or events in your city. If there are several people at work who would love to get out and exercise, start a soccer, softball, volleyball, or basketball team.
Exercising outdoors is really nice, but there are many times that it is rainy, too hot, or too cold to even be outside. You can always purchase home gym equipment, such as treadmills www.gymsource.com/treadmills and or ellipticals www.gymsource.com/ellipticals so that you can work out from the comfort of your home. You can enjoy your favorite TV shows while doing your daily exercise. No matter what you do or where you do it, make sure you are getting up and active today!
Jim Rollince is a member of the creating writing department of Gym Source
He enjoys writing about Fitness, Nutrition, and many other related topics.
Contact him at jimr@gymsource.net
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Stacey
