Exercise offers significant advantages for your mind, body, and heart. Despite its importance, only a minority of individuals participate in it regularly.
Globally, as reported by WHO in 2016, 28% of adults aged 18 years and above were not sufficiently active in physical activities. Below are some of the benefits of being physically active:
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Helps with weight management
Engaging in physical exercise boosts metabolism, leading to a higher calorie expenditure by the body. This calorie reduction contributes to weight loss. However, for optimal effectiveness, exercise should be coupled with a decrease in calorie intake. To sustain a healthy weight, it’s important to incorporate daily physical activity into your routine.
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Strengthens bones and muscles
Remaining physically active contributes to maintaining strong bones and muscles. With aging, changes occur in the musculoskeletal system that can lead to decreased bone strength. When muscles exert force on bones, it stimulates bone regeneration and helps preserve or enhance bone strength.
Muscle strength is enhanced by engaging in activities that provide resistance. Regular physical exercise is crucial for bone and muscle health, as it enhances bone density and strength, reducing the risk of fractures and conditions like osteoporosis.
A photo of people running as part of exercise
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Improves brain health and memory
Engaging in physical exercise can positively impact your brain by decreasing stress hormone levels, thereby reducing the risk of mental health disorders.
It also enhances your brain’s capacity to create new neural connections, which boosts lifelong learning abilities. Additionally, exercise promotes optimal blood flow to the brain, facilitating the delivery of essential nutrients.
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Keeps the skin healthy
Physical exercise enhances blood flow and circulation throughout the body, which boosts the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. This contributes to a radiant and healthy complexion while also reducing inflammation. Moreover, exercise helps minimize the production of free radicals and oxidative damage, which can otherwise result in cellular and tissue harm.
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Reduces risks of chronic diseases
Consistent physical exercise enhances cardiorespiratory fitness by boosting cardiac output and improves blood glucose regulation. It also increases mitochondrial density, leading to higher energy production.
Furthermore, regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease.
Summary
Are you still delaying starting your physical exercise routine, even after learning about its advantages? Whether you want to manage your weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, boost your brain and memory, maintain healthy skin, or reduce the risk of chronic diseases, now is the perfect moment to begin your workout regimen. Make the choice today and initiate your physical exercise routine.
