For as long as we can remember, we’ve always been taught that a healthy lifestyle includes regular exercise. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of physical activity per week for adults. That may seem a lot but it’s actually just 22 minutes per day.
Short Term Effects Of Exercise
The body goes through many changes when we exercise. In the short term it may seem training makes us feel fatigued and you may probably not feel the effects of exercising right away. However if you stay consistent, you’ll reap the benefits of being physically active.
1. Helps fight depression.
The brain releases endorphins when we exercise. These are hormones that promote a positive mental wellbeing. Moreover, exercise can be a wonderful distraction and the time spent doing physical can veer you away from depressive feelings.
2. Improves mental acuity.
Mental acuity pertains to the health and sharpness of your mind and it is an essential trait for us to be able to do our job and day to day functions properly.
3. Boosts energy.
How can something that zaps up all your energy give you energy? Exercising increases blood flow throughout the body and signals your brain to use up stored fat or energy allowing you to feel energetic even after sweating it out in the gym.
4. Helps you achieve a healthy weight.
If you’re trying to lose weight, you might not see the results you want right away. But by continuing to exercise regularly and maintaining a balanced diet, you will burn more calories than what you’re consuming. Coupled with strength training, you can achieve your ideal physique in a matter of months.
Long Term Effects of Exercise
Exercising regularly can help reduce the likelihood of developing diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In recent years there have been a significant rise in the number of people developing these severe illnesses. By making exercise a part of your lifestyle, you can prevent yourself from suffering from these health issues and not jeopardize your quality of life as you get older.
1. Maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity is one of the major contributors to cancer. This dreaded disease can be avoided by maintaining a healthy weight, which in turn can be achieved with a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
2. Lower blood pressure level.
Blood pressure pertains to how hard our heart needs to work so it can pump blood throughout the body. When someone has a high blood pressure, their heart has to work harder. Physical activity when performed regularly can keep our hearts healthy by reducing blood pressure.
3. Increased libido.
Sexual functions are typically impacted by blood circulation so it’s not surprising that physical activity can improve our libido. Besides, exercising can make you more self-confident and reduce your stress, which are also crucial to sex drive.
4. Better sleep.
Research suggests that aerobic exercises can rejuvenate the brain and enable us to achieve deep sleep.
Aside from these benefits, I personally think that the most important long term benefit of exercise is it improves our quality of life and allows us to live longer. With exercise, you’re able to maintain a healthy weight, manage your stress, feel confident about yourself and get in your best shape so you can spend more time with the people and things that mean the most to you.
It is for this reason that I always make it a point to go to Jetts Gym or 24 Hour Fitness at least twice a week. I’m fortunate enough to have a gym so close to my house. But even if there’s no community center or gym near you, that should not be a reason for you not to exercise. You can still do 150 minutes of physical activity each week outside the gym. For example, you can spend 15 minutes walking daily and adding 10 minutes of strength training which you can do at home. The most important thing is to get moving and sweating – your mind and body will thank you for it!