Most of us might respond “duh” to this statement, but we wonder if you really know why regular physical activity is so important for your health. We doubt you are aware of all the benefits so keep reading and learn the importance of regular physical activity. Essentially, get ready for a pep talk.
Live Longer With Regular Physical Activity
You heard right; you can live longer if you do some type of physical activity on a regular basis. This is true for all races, any ethnicity, all ages, or genders. Everyone can benefit from getting off the sofa and moving. According to the CDC, those who exercise for 150 minutes per week have a 33% lower rate of mortality than those who are inactive. Any amount of moderate to vigorous activity will help.
Weight Management Is Crucial In Today’s World
Activity must go hand in hand with a healthy diet. One without the other just means you could be “spinning your wheels.” In order to reduce your weight and keep it off, it’s important to follow the CDC guidelines mentioned above for activity and choose healthy foods.
Being overweight or obese in today’s world makes you more vulnerable to COVID-19, and if you are obese, you triple your risk for hospitalization and death. In addition, obesity decreases lung capacity and impairs your immunity to the virus.
Health Risks Are Reduced
Cardiovascular disease and stroke can be reduced with regular physical activity. Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome can also decrease with exercise. Metabolic syndrome includes a combination of too much fat around your middle leading to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and high blood sugar. At the same time activity will boost your good cholesterol or HDL. If you already have diabetes, exercise will help you control your glucose.
Are you beginning to see a pattern?
Cancer risk is also reduced with even moderate exercise. This includes breast, colon, kidney, lung, and stomach cancers as well as bladder and esophageal cancer. Stay physically active to reduce many types of cancer.
Improve Your Mood With Regular Physical Activity
Who doesn’t need that right now?
Getting some exercise can stimulate brain chemicals that help you feel happier and more relaxed with less anxiety. It distracts from daily worries, lifts your mood, reduces your risk of depression, and even helps improve sleep.
Keeps Your Bones And Muscles Strong
Even moderate exercise can reduce your risk of osteoporosis and falls. It will lower the risk of hip fractures which can plague older adults, helps with arthritis, and strengthens bones and muscles.
Mix in aerobics, muscle strengthening exercises, and balance activities like walking and brisk walking. Lifting weights helps to maintain your muscle mass and strength.
Your Sex Life May Improve
That should get your attention, but it’s true. When you feel tired, out of shape, and overweight, it can be hard to “get in the mood.”
Exercise has been shown to increase arousal for women, and men who exercise have less problems with ED than those who don’t.
We could go on endlessly with all the benefits and why regular physical activity is so important for your health, but you surely get the idea by now.
Contact Madison Medical Associates at (256) 325-1160 if you are about to begin an exercise regimen no matter how mild.