Top 8 Benefits of Exercise
Why is exercise so important for health? Discover the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle and staying active with Neo G
Whether it is gentle, moderate or intense, research has shown that exercise provides physical and emotional benefits
Check out these eight ways exercise can lead to a healthier and happier life:
Top 8 Benefits of Exercise
1: Weight control: regular physical activity boosts your metabolism allowing you to burn calories, which in turn helps with weight loss. Leading an active lifestyle and managing your eating habits reduces the likelihood of gaining weight, so just a small amount of exercise can really make a difference.As the body becomes overweight or obese, it increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, due to the excess strain put on the joints, particularly on knees and hips. If you suffer from this common form of arthritis, combining aerobic and strengthening exercises will help you with your pain and general well-being*.
2: Keeps muscles, bones and joints healthier: exercise is essential for keeping your musculoskeletal system healthy and you active.
From the age of 30 we lose 3 to 5 per cent of the muscle mass we naturally carry with each decade that passes, a condition called sarcopenia. Weight training can help reverse this process, and aerobic activities such as walking, swimming or cycling provide further health benefits that will keep you active and fit.
3: It helps boosts your energy levels: regular physical activity can help improve your muscle strength and increase your endurance.
Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, which helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently, improving the health of your heart and lungs. So no matter how tired you feel from a hard day’s work or a busy weekend, try your best to get some exercise. You will likely feel more energized and it will set you up to tackle the week ahead.
4: Helps reduce symptoms linked to Type 2 diabetes: the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and metabolism syndrome can be reduced by doing exercise. Physical activity helps reduce the sugar level in blood and increases insulins efficiency. Some great tips for helping prevent Type 2 diabetes are:
- Eat healthier
- Get more active
- Try to lose some weight
5: Relieves stress and improves your mood: during exercise your body releases chemicals that help manage stress and anxiety levels, which in turn can help improve your mental health.
By producing endorphins that boost positive feelings, regular exercise can improve your mood, self-esteem and confidence, meaning exercise can help you feel happier all round!
6: Improves your agility: aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises are essential to improve your everyday agility. This is even more important for older adults, as it can reduce the risk of falls, aches and pains.
7: It can help improve your sleep: We all love a good night’s sleep, so if you suffer from insomnia or irregular sleeping patterns, exercising can help. Staying active though regular exercise has been proven to help improve sleeping habits and combat sleeping disorders. In turn it can also help improve your energy levels and enthusiasm in the morning, giving you a great start to the day ahead.
8: It encourages a healthy heart: being active will help strengthen your heart, lowering cholesterol and the risk of developing heart diseases such as stroke or coronary heart disease.
Becoming more active can help reduce high blood pressure and balance your cholesterol levels by producing or boosting ‘good’ cholesterol, like high-density lipoprotein (HDL) for example. The best way to help reduce and manage your blood pressure is moderate intensity aerobic activity, this includes the likes of walking, cycling, dancing or jogging.
The Bottom line
Studies have shown that there are many physical and mental benefits to exercising regularly. You can start now by doing one or more of the below:
- Set your goals and track your progress
- Aim to exercise 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week
- Eat a healthy diet
- Make your everyday activities more active
- Exercise with friends or family and make it more fun
Don’t let strains, sprains or injuries stop you from becoming a healthier and better you. Our range of medical grade supports and braces help specific injuries and aid rehabilitation so you can stay active and enjoy your exercise.
Live Longer, Happier and Healthier with Neo G!
Visit www.neo-g.co.uk for all your Medical Grade Orthopaedic supports and braces solutions
*Always seek medical advice before starting any exercise program, especially if you have pre-existing injuries or physical conditions
