You know exercise is good for you, but if you still struggle to make it a daily habit, you might not fully grasp the benefits of being physically active. Here are some of the many ways exercise helps your health.

Promote Weight Loss

Working out helps you lose weight in two ways. First, you burn calories during physical exertion. Then, you increase your resting metabolic rate, helping you burn more calories even when you’re not exercising. Combining aerobic workouts and resistance training is the best way to maximize fat loss and maintain muscle mass.

Strengthen Muscles and Bones

Aging leads to muscle loss, which can increase the chance of injury and disability. Continuing to work out regularly keeps your muscles strong as the years go by. Your bones benefit as well. High-impact exercises such as running and dancing increase bone density to help prevent osteoporosis later in life.

Boost Your Mood

The term “runner’s high” refers to the release of endorphins during a good workout. These feel-good brain chemicals produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain. Exercising even increases your brain’s sensitivity to serotonin and norepinephrine, hormones that decrease feelings of depression.

Increase Your Energy Levels

While it can be difficult to make yourself work out when you’re tired, physical exertion is an effective energy booster. It’s even valuable for people with chronic fatigue syndrome and progressive diseases associated with fatigue such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.

Help You Sleep Better

As long as you exercise early enough in the day, you can expect to sleep better at night. This occurs because the energy exertion while working out makes your body more relaxed at bedtime. The rise in body temperature during physical activity is also thought to help you cool down when it’s time for bed.

Decrease the Risk of Chronic Disease

Exercising regularly reduces your risk for numerous chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more. You may even live longer if you make physical activity a daily habit, whether you feel like you need to lose weight or not.

Promote Healthy Skin and Hair

Exposure to UV rays, environmental pollution, and chemicals in your food leads to oxidative stress. Regular, moderate exercise increases your body’s production of natural antioxidants, which helps protect your cells from oxidation. Since your skin and hair are the first to show signs of oxidative stress, decreasing cellular damage improves their appearance.

Support Healthy Brain Function

During exercise, circulation increases to the brain, bringing more oxygen to this vital organ. Your body also produces hormones while working out that enhance the growth of brain cells. Regular physical activity is especially important for brain health in older adults because aging combined with inflammation and oxidative stress can cause changes to the brain’s structure and function.

Reduce Chronic Pain

For years, doctors recommended treating chronic pain with rest, but actually, exercise may play an important role in relieving pain. First, it strengthens muscles that support achy joints. Then, it raises your pain tolerance and decreases pain perception with the release of endorphins.

How to Make Exercise a Part of Your Daily Routine

• Walk around more: Making small changes could help you get more steps in each day. Park further from the store entrance, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and go for a walk on your lunch break.
• Get friends and family to be active with you: You’re more likely to exercise if someone else commits to doing it with you. Consider joining a dance class, hiking club, or sports team to stay active and make new friends.
• Track your progress: Keep a log or use a fitness tracker to help you set goals and stay motivated.
• Make exercise fun: Listen to music or watch TV while you lift weights in your living room. Take a bike ride and enjoy the scenery on a beautiful day. Try new activities to keep your workouts fresh.
• Be active indoors when the weather is bad: It’s important to keep exercising in the winter. Hop on the treadmill, walk around the mall, or try a dance video game to work up a sweat indoors.

Improve Your Health at Spine Correction Center

Perhaps you want to exercise, but chronic back pain or knee pain prevents you from being as physically active as you would like. The experts at Spine Correction Center of the Rockies in Fort Collins can offer natural pain treatment and workout advice to help you achieve the fitness level you desire.

To get started, please contact us at (970) 658-5115 and schedule a free consultation in person, over the phone, or online.