Exercising regularly has proven long term health benefits.
Everybody knows that exercising is good for you. Working out, or even just being physically active can help reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate depression, and release endorphins which elevate your mood in general. Physical benefits include weight loss, stronger muscles and bones, and an overall increase in quality of life.
That being said, the hardest part of exercising is actually getting out the door to do it. While sporadic workouts are also good for you, the real benefits of exercise come from turning it into a regular habit. From a mental health perspective, exercising regularly can help keep your mental and emotional states regulated. Physically, a regular exercise regimen will help increase your overall health incrementally, and extend your life.
It only takes 33 days for your body to pick up a habit. So here are five reasons you should turn exercise into a regular habit.
Increased Energy- You may think that exercise would make you tired, but the opposite is actually true. Even if you are tired when you enter the gym, chances are you will feel energized by the time you leave. Regular exercise helps your heart pump more blood, which increases the oxygen circulating through your body. Over time, your body becomes more adept at circulating blood, resulting in higher energy levels overall.
Reducing Risk of Disease- Regular exercise can help decrease your risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
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Memory and Brain Health- Working out regularly increases blood flow to the brain and supports the production of certain hormones that help to enhance the growth of brain cells.
Sleep Quality- Many studies have shown that regular exercise habits can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and increase the quality of your sleep overall. The circadian rhythms of your body respond to patterns, so exercising regularly is as important as falling asleep and waking at the same time every day.
Better Skin- Oxidative stress is the biggest culprit in terms of skin problems. Free radicals are constantly damaging our skin cells, and our bodies can’t always keep up with the repairs. Exercising regularly promotes better blood flow, and helps create antioxidants that fight free radicals. Exercise also helps our bodies push out toxins that can cause skin issues to arise.
So the moral of the story is, get to the gym a few times a week, and turn it into a habit. Your body will thank you in the long run.