One of the greatest killers in the modern world, at least for first world countries, is sitting. Or, rather, the inactivity we all face. We spend hour upon hour every day sitting down, behind a desk, in front of a computer screen. The human body is not designed to do this, to spend so much time in this manner. The results are clear. Poor health, back pain, obesity, even certain mental issues (that do not require medication or professional help) can be solved by just getting up and moving.
Now, we all know that physical exercise is important for our physical and mental health and development. However, what people do too often is giving you just one option, instead of understanding that people may prefer one type of exercise to another. The important thing is to move, to get up from your desk and actually get out of your head and into your body. So, without further ado, below you can find out why physical exercise is so important.
It regulates stress and improves your mood
One of the best ways you can regulate stress and blow off steam is exercise. Whatever you do, going out for a run, lifting weights, doing yoga, dancing, it doesn’t matter – you will feel better once you’re done. When you exercise, it will stimulate various parts of your brain that release serotonin and dopamine. They relax you, make you feel happy and sometimes even energized.
What it also does is it just takes your mind off of things. Instead of worrying about whatever issue you may be dealing with, you get outside your head, and into your body. Focusing on movement, on your breathing, on actually using your body, this will help you distress, and get your brain some needed rest. Afterwards, you will feel refreshed, and find a solution to an issue that has been plaguing you.
Weight and looks
Let’s not beat around the bush here, many of us exercise because we want to be more attractive. But, you don’t really have to lose weight through an exercise in order to look better. For instance, working out regularly means you will most likely strengthen weak muscles, and stretch tight ones (or at least you should). This will do wonders for your posture, which influences how people perceive you. Furthermore, you release toxins and impurities from your body when you sweat regularly. This can, alongside a good diet, improve your skin and your complexion tremendously.
Now, you will obviously have more muscle and less fat as well. Remember however that you need to expend more energy than you take in, i.e. count your calories properly. And of course, a good diet matters a lot if you want to look the best you can. Sure, a caloric deficit will help you lose weight, but the source of calories matters if you want to lose more fat than muscle.
Regulation and prevention of diseases
Things like high blood pressure, heart diseases, osteoporosis, and all these issues can be regulated by regular exercise. When you’re active, you boost HDL (high-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as “good” cholesterol. It also helps you decrease the bad triglycerides in your body.
Regularly exercising also decreases the risk of stroke, arthritis, type 2 diabetes… Basically, every aspect of your life is improved. And when you take into account that it also does wonders for stress (see above), which causes many issues as well, movements seems like a panacea.
Exercise, especially weightlifting, can strengthen your bones, helping you withstand falls and sprains better. Even if you get hurt, a person who exercises regularly will heal faster.
You will have more energy
This may sound paradoxical since you are expending energy (and getting tired) when exercising, but it’s completely true. Once you finish your workout session, and take a small break, you will feel energized and excited. And after turning it into a habit and doing it for several weeks, your general baseline energy levels will increase as well. Even better, in fact, if you do it in the Sun due to all the added benefits and mood improvement you get.
Of course, this does require some getting used to. But, there will be a moment where working out will become very fluid, where your joints and muscles will get used it, and when you just won’t be able to wait to get your next fix of exercise.
It improves your social life, and it’s fun
A movement should be enjoyable. We are built to move, to walk, to run, to hunt, to be outside. Exercising and moving your body will be fun, trust us, as soon as you get over that first hump. We all need fun in our lives, there is no point in living an ascetic, joyless life. Working out can improve your social life as well. Find someone who likes the same type of exercise you do, and you’ve got a social, fun activity that does wonders for your health.
However, it’s fun if you do it properly. Do some research, learn how to lift weights properly, or how to get a good stride going when going out on a run. Join a yoga group or an amateur sports team. Experts, like the people at Movement 101 for example, can help you show how to exercise properly, or how to avoid any potential injury.
In order to keep things fun, you need to learn when the pain you feel is good (pain in your muscles) and when you just need to push through, or when it’s bad (severe, lingering joint pain).
Conclusion
Exercise has multiple serious benefits for our health and well-being. It improves our mood, it helps us de-stress, and can even help with our social lives. If you exercise properly, eat well, and do it regularly, you will notice a serious boost to your well-being, energy levels, and sleep quality. It can even prevent the occurrence of various heart diseases and issues. So remember, try to find something you find fun, and get at it.