Physical Fitness is so important and everyone is always looking for new workouts and exercise ideas to help them stay in shape. There are so many different sports and activities that you can try and that will have some great benefits on your physical health as well as your mental and emotional well being. It is really important to understand the advantages of regular exercise so that you can choose the right workout program for you.
In this article, we will look at 6 notable reasons why you should stay fit so that you can motivate yourself to exercise regularly.
1. Increase your Life Expectancy
Numerous studies have shown that maintaining physical fitness reduces the risk of premature mortality and increases life expectancy. Research also revealed that people can increase their life expectancy with more exercises regardless of how active they were in the past. By being more active, you can lower your blood pressure, improve your blood circulation and prevent losses in bone thickness which are directly linked to osteoporosis.
2. Lower Your Risk of Injury
With regular exercise, you can prevent injury by increasing muscle strength, bone density, stability and flexibility. Moreover, physical fitness can make you become more resilient when facing accidents.
For instance, strong muscles and good balance mean that you lower your risk of slipping or falling. Performing strength training workouts can increase or maintain your muscle mass. There is so much workout equipment that you can use to build muscle and these versatile machines, for example, are designed to target every part of the body.
It is really important to strengthen each muscle in your body so that all your joints and body structures are balanced and work in harmony. Frequent exercise can help kids and teens build stronger bones whilst slowing down the loss of bone density that is typically associated with elderly people.
3. Fewer Doctor and Hospital Visits
Research has shown that improving strength and flexibility can ease chronic pain in the long-term as endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkiller, can be released during exercise. Some simple exercises like walking, swimming, rowing, biking and yoga can help with chronic pain and ensure that your joints and bones stay healthy.
An inactive lifestyle can take a huge toll on your body. Many studies have shown that physical inactivity is linked with an increased risk of cancer, chronic diseases and mental health issues. Physical activity also improves your cardiovascular health, respiratory and overall health. Furthermore, staying active and maintaining a healthy body weight reduces your risk for type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer. For instance, a study in 2007 found that exercising can prevent breast cancer as high levels of estrogen, which is stored in fat, increase cancer risk.
4. Decrease your Stress Levels, Anxiety and Depression
There is a direct link between your level of activity and your mood. Research has shown that exercising increases serotonin levels, which helps regulate mood, appetite and sleep. Many people find that after a fast-paced game of tennis or a few laps in the pool, they tend to focus more on the internal energy of their body rather than on the stresses or anxiety in their minds.
Exercise also helps to raise the level of endorphins in our bodies, which are natural mood lifters. Moreover, exercise aids neuron growth, and reduces chemicals that are associated with depression.
5. Improve your Sleep Quality
According to the National Sleep Foundation, regular exercise in the morning or afternoon can improve your sleep quality by raising your body temperature. Recent research suggests that exercise reduces insomnia and the effects of aerobic exercise on sleep seem to be equivalent to taking sleeping pills.
Moreover, by getting better sleep quality at night, you can be more alert during the daytime.
6. Boost your Self Confidence
An active lifestyle can help to give you a new positive outlook because you will feel strong and look good, which will create a better self image. A positive mindset helps to fortify your perception of your own self-worth as well as help you to handle stressful situations better. As staying fit and working out help release endorphins, you will also have a higher level of the positive chemicals that are necessary for being cheerful and optimistic.
Even though maintaining an active lifestyle can seem like an uphill struggle, the effort that you put in will have numerous positive effects and will help you live life to its fullest. In order to stay fit, you must make healthy food choices as well as incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine. Reading this guide is the first step so congratulations on starting out on your healthy lifestyle journey.