Benefits of physical activity

The benefits and advantages of physical activity focus around feeling better, having an increased level of energy, and even in some cases having a prolonged life. The rewards for exercising are plentiful. It can vary from preventing chronic health condition to boosting confidence and levels of self-esteem.

The benefits are available for you to receive regardless of your age, physical ability, or gender. A 60-year old woman confined to a wheelchair can and more than likely will receive positive, beneficial effects from doing some kind of physical activity. Here are some more reasons to stay on that treadmill a little bit longer:

Improved mood - If you’ve had a hard and stressful day at work and just need to relax, consider taking a brisk walk or playing some sports. It can help calm you down. Additionally, physical activity helps to stimulate a myriad of brain chemicals leaving you happier and more relaxed prior to working out.

Exercise fights chronic diseases - Does heart disease run in your family, or are you scared about encountering osteoporosis later along in life? If so, regular exercise may be exactly what you need. Routine exercise can help you manage and prevent high blood pressure, as well as maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol. It also boosts HDL, the good kind of cholesterol while decreasing the bad kind of chosterol known as LDL.

Weight management - This is the given. Combined with a healthy diet, exercise helps you burn more calories than you take in on any given day. If you do those, you’ll lose weight. It’s as simple as that.

Strong heart and lungs - If you feel like you easily get out of breath when doing simple chores or tasks, exercise may make your breathing easier. Exercise is beneficial for delivering oxygen in addition to nutrients through your tissues. As a matter of fact, exercise on a regular basis helps make your cardiovascular system more efficient.
What does this all mean? Simple, no matter what your age or current condition is, if your doctor or medical professional tells you it’s okay to exercise — get out and do it!