I myself try to go to the gym three days a week. With work, kids, household tasks, et cetera, it can be difficult to maintain the schedule and commitment. I have good days at the gym. But I also have ‘bad’ days at the gym. But, I tell myself, something is better than nothing. Here are some important benefits of exercise to help motivate!
1. Exercise can make you feel happier
Exercise has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. The authors of a 2019 review found that 10–30 minutes is enough to improve your mood. Exercise may increase brain sensitivity to serotonin and norepinephrine. These hormones relieve feelings of depression. It may also increase the production of endorphins, which help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain.
2. Exercise can help with weight management
Inactivity may play a major factor in weight gain and obesity, which may lead to health complications. Exercise can help you manage your weight by helping with energy expenditure, also known as spending. Combining aerobic exercise with resistance training may also maximize fat loss and muscle mass maintenance. This could help you manage weight, maintain lean muscle, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. Exercise is good for your muscles and bones
Exercise plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. As people age, they tend to lose muscle mass, strength, and function. This leads to an increased risk of injury. Practicing regular physical activity is essential to reducing muscle loss and maintaining strength as you age. Exercise also helps build bone density. The authors of a 2022 review found that regular exercise significantly improved bone density in the lumbar spine, neck, and hip bones.
4. Exercise can increase your energy levels
Exercise can help boost your energy levels while helping to reduce fatigue. This may help as a treatment method if you have certain health conditions. Aerobic exercise boosts your cardiovascular system and improves lung health, which may help with energy levels. Your heart pumps more blood as you move, delivering more oxygen to your working muscles. With regular exercise, your heart becomes more efficient at moving oxygen into your blood.
There are many benefits of exercise that aren’t listed here. The important thing to remember is, just try something!
