1. Increases Feelings of Happiness
Of course, happiness is a quality of the mind, rather than a function, but it is characterised by an increase of “feel-good” brain chemicals that counteract feelings of depression, anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that regular exercise has the same effect, stimulating the same pleasure and reward centres of the brain.
Exercise is especially beneficial to addressing high levels of stress and anxiety. Exercise produces higher quantities of serotonin and norepinephrine which are effective in reducing feelings of depression. Exercise also releases endorphins that provide pain relief to muscles at work and this can reduce pain perception as well.
Another interesting point that was observed is that the amount of time spent in regular exercise was not important to obtaining these benefits. Even if you only have time for a twenty-minute stroll through the park and back, you will experience an improved mood.
This was confirmed in a study on 24 women who had been diagnosed with depression. The study showed that exercise alone, regardless of duration or intensity, greatly diminishes depression. A similar study showed that people who regularly exercise and stop exercising begin to show signs of depression within just a few weeks.
2. It can help with weight loss
Keeping a healthy weight is everyone’s business and it is a well-established fact that a sedentary lifestyle is a precursor to unhealthy weight issues. To understand exactly why this happens, it is essential to understand a little of the dynamics of energy expenditure within the human meat machine.
The energy we need to operate enters the body with our food sources. The vast majority of the energy we obtain through our food is then spent on three primary functions:
- digesting food
- exercising
- maintaining body involuntary body functions, such as the heartbeat and breathing
While on specific diets, the calorie consumption may be too low to maintain a regular metabolic rate and it will be lowered, this is not ideal for weight loss. But on the other hand, regular exercise boosts the metabolism and this is generally a better way to lose weight.
Other studies have shown that combining aerobic exercise with resistance training is a highly effective way of keeping fat supplies low and muscle mass high. If you are looking for a personal trainer see personal training Woking.
3. It is good for your muscles and bones
Exercise helps to maintain strong bones, muscles and joints.
When coupled with adequate protein intake, activities like weightlifting can stimulate hypertrophy, increase muscle growth. As people age, they tend to lose their muscle mass and its vital function and this can lead them to injury and weakness. Regular healthy exercise is a great way to avoid this issue and stay strong and secure throughout the golden years.
Increased bone density through regular exercise can protect you from the onset of osteoporosis, which often strikes later in life.
In some reports, it has been observed that high impact sports like gymnastics, running or impact sports like martial arts or basketball, have a higher chance of improving bone density. This is compared to performing low-impact sports like swimming or cycling.
4. It can increase your energy levels
Exercise will allow your body to become stronger and can be that energy booster that you need to get an upper hand on the struggle with certain medical conditions. A study following a group of people suffering from chronic fatigue showed that regular exercise reduced these feelings of fatigue.