10 Benefits Of Exercise: Explaining The Importance Of Exercise – ll
July 7, 2022
Top 10 Benefits Of Exercise And Physical Activity
We have probably heard the saying a million times that exercise is good for you. Even so, some people are still not willing to start exercising. Exercising has a host of health and physical benefits, which is why you should give it a try. Here are some of the most significant ways that exercise can benefit you:
- Protection Against Diseases
A sedentary lifestyle is the number one culprit of health conditions such as obesity. However, the concern with obesity is that it leads to other fatal health conditions, including coronary artery disease, cancer, asthma, and congestive heart failure (6).
This lifestyle is also linked to venous thrombosis. Contrary to what you may think, a sedentary lifestyle does not only mean eating processed or junk food. It also entails spending the majority of your day sitting.
Sitting for extended durations increases your chances of developing fatal blood clots in the veins in your legs, which is also known as venous thrombosis (9). Again, overeating junk and processed food increases your cholesterol and sodium levels.
Consuming too much of both is fatal. In the case of sodium, too much of it increases your blood pressure. High blood pressure has been linked to kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure (11). Exercising can help combat all of these fatal health risks that result from a sedentary lifestyle.
- Weight Management
The most prominent physical benefit of starting any exercise program is weight management. A lot of people are struggling to lose weight and maintain their ideal weight. That probably explains why there are numerous weight loss exercise programs online.
Exercising can help you shed pounds by increasing your calorie expenditure. It enables you to burn more calories than you consume, which is the basic foundation of weight loss. Similarly, regular exercise helps you maintain high metabolism. This is paramount for weight loss as it means burning extra calories even when at rest.
- Improved Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular health has become a subject of concern in most countries. Experts reveal that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for 31% of mortality in the form of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular accidents.
CVD is just an umbrella covering numerous heart problems, including rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, cerebrovascular disease, CHD, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral arterial disease. All of these conditions deteriorate heart health, leading to a high mortality rate. Experts reveal that regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health in the following ways:
- Improving cholesterol levels. High LDL levels (bad cholesterol) rank among the top risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
- Lowering blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and related conditions like stroke. Its risk factors are obesity, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and family history.
- Reducing the risk of heart attacks and heart disease
- Reducing stroke risk
- Increased Muscle Mass And Strength
Exercise can help you improve muscle mass and get that muscular physique you have always wanted. The most popular type of exercise to help with this benefit is weight training. Training regularly by lifting weights helps in increasing muscle size and strength in a process known as muscle hypertrophy.
Remember that you cannot grow muscles at the same rate as your sibling or friend. Various factors come into play, including your body type, genetics, and the level of testosterone and estrogen in your body (7).
- Improved Quality Of Sleep
If meditation, massage, and a warm shower are not helping, try exercising for improved quality of sleep. Exercising outside and just before dinner has been deemed effective in improving sleep quality. However, you are urged not to do complicated exercises or any workouts just before bedtime.
- Improved Mental Health
There are numerous mental health benefits associated with exercising. The top 10 mental benefits of exercising list would include the following:
- Improved Mood And Well-Being
Exercising is also an excellent way to boost your mood and mental well-being. When exercising, your body releases hormones known as the feel-good hormones. They help improve your mood and keep you relaxed. In light of this, experts acknowledge that exercise can be an effective technique for battling stress and depression.