The Importance of Daily Exercise
We all know that regular exercise is important. It’s a key factor of a healthy lifestyle and is something that we should all strive to make a part of our lives. But do you know exactly what exercise is good for?
The truth is that regular daily exercise has a whole host of benefits that affect all aspects of your life; ranging from improving your physical and mental health to your social life and relationships. Here’s why daily exercise is so important for us.
WEIGHT LOSS
Of course, the obvious benefit of exercising is the improvement of your physical health and fitness level. Engaging in a consistent routine of exercise is an extremely effective way of combatting weight gain and help you to maintain a healthy weight.
When we perform physical activity, our bodies begin to burn calories - the more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. Put simply, we gain weight when we consume more calories than we are burning. It is important to note that your diet also plays an integral role when it comes to weight gain/loss, and your weight loss journey will be the most effective when your exercise regime is working in tandem with healthy eating. When paired with a balanced diet, we give ourselves the best chance of obtaining and keeping at a healthy weight.
FITNESS AND STRENGTH
A key physical benefit of exercising is improving your cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness (relating to the heart and lungs), helping to improve your ability to do general daily activities. Being unable to do everyday activities is called ‘functional limitation’, and those who are physically active tend to experience a lot less functional limitations than those who are inactive.
It is also incredibly important to take care to protect our bones, joints and muscles. As we age, our bodies begin to show signs of general wear and tear and this deterioration can lead to long-term effects and injuries. Regular exercise massively reduces a person’s risk of damaging and breaking bones or developing conditions such as arthritis.
Daily exercise can greatly decrease the potential a whole array of health risks, and ultimately increase your chances of living longer. Conditions that regular exercise can help to prevent include strokes, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and dementia.
BETTER SLEEP
Exercising has also been shown to improve sleep for many people when it comes the duration and quality of sleep in adults. Specifically, it can reduce the amount of time it takes for us to fall asleep and drastically limit the amount of times they wake up during the night - maintaining a consistent sleep pattern that allows for the body to fully rest and recuperate, ready for the following day. Physical activity can also help alleviate daytime drowsiness, energising you throughout the day and alleviating the need for that sneaky afternoon nap, as well as reducing other factors such as stress and anxiety, which have notable effects on an individual’s ability to sleep.
IMPROVED SEX LIFE
Studies have shown that exercise can also have a notable improvement on your sex life. Of course, a higher fitness level will allow you to have an increased physical stamina and energy levels, as well as increasing your confidence and self-esteem when it comes to your physical appearance. Regular physical activity is also linked to enhancing arousal levels and sexual libido in women, and men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction.
BETTER MOOD AND MENTAL HEALTH
You’ve probably heard of the ‘runner’s high’ - a short-lasting sense of euphoria following intense exercise. This is a very real thing that many people experience after their workouts. When exercising, the body releases hormones called endorphins, often sighted as the ‘feel-good’ chemicals, due to the pleasurable feeling that they produce. Endorphins also act as a natural painkiller and energiser, helping you to endure longer periods of exercise.
However, the effects on your mood last much longer, and physical activity has proven to be a very effective way of improving and maintaining positive mental health. Studies have shown that even something as easy as a simple walk can help deter feelings of stress and anxiety, and decrease the risk of mental health conditions such as depression. Improving your physical health, fitness and appearance will also have a positive effect on your self-esteem, instilling you with more confidence, allowing you to better achieve your daily goals.
HAVING FUN
Exercise isn’t just hard work - it can be fun too! It is a perfect excuse to get outdoors and get some fresh air whilst you enjoy nature and some sunshine, giving you chance to unwind and relax. Even if you’re not someone that enjoys high intensity workouts down at the gym, maybe you might find yourself enjoying a brisk walk or swimming. Maybe you can join a football or rugby team? Or start attending a dance class? You can enjoy some time to yourself, or as an opportunity to socialise and exercise with a partner, friends or family in a fun social setting, all whilst staying fit!
