11 Incredible Health Benefits of Regular Exercise

It's important to have a healthy lifestyle.

Eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep are all benefits of living healthier.

Exercising on a regular basis is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body.

How much exercise should you be doing?

The benefits depend on what level of intensity and duration you choose to work out at.

Types of exercise include cardio, strength training, Pilates and yoga.

Cardio exercising includes activities such as running, walking and swimming.

Strength-training works out your muscles by using weightlifting or resistance bands.

Pilates and yoga focus on your core, providing strength and flexibility.

The human body is an incredible machine.

Not only can it run a marathon, but it can also heal itself from the most serious of injuries.

And one of the best ways to keep your body in top condition is through regular exercise.

Here are eleven incredible health benefits of regular exercise that you need to  know about.

1. Improves cardiovascular health

One of the most important benefits of regular exercise is that it improves your cardiovascular health.

This means that your heart and blood vessels work more efficiently, and you're less likely to develop conditions such as heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

Exercise also strengthens your heart muscle, which makes it less likely to fail if something does happen.

A study of over 1,000 adults found that those who exercised regularly were half as likely to die from a heart attack as those who didn't.

Another study of more than 2,000 people found that those who exercised three or more times per week were 35% less likely to die from any cause over a 10-year period than those who didn't exercise.

2. Reduces the risk of chronic diseases

Regular exercise can also reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

This is because exercise helps to keep your body in good condition overall, and reduces the likelihood of developing harmful conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance.

One study showed that regular exercise can even help to reverse the effects of these diseases.

Another study found that those who exercised regularly were 50% less likely to develop dementia over a 10-year period than those who didn't.

3. Helps maintain a healthy weight

Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight.

It helps to burn off excess calories, and can help to reduce your overall body fat percentage.

This is because exercise promotes muscle growth, which in turn burns more calories than fat does.

A study of over 10,000 adults found that those who exercised regularly were less likely to be obese than those who didn't.

Another study showed that regular exercise can help you to lose weight even if you don't change your diet.

4. Boosts energy levels

If you're struggling to get through the day, regular exercise can help to give you a much-needed energy boost.

This is because exercise helps to increase your overall fitness level, and makes your heart and lungs work more efficiently.

This moves more oxygen through your body and allows your muscles to be more efficient.

A study of 2,000 adults found that those who exercised regularly had higher energy levels than those who didn't.

It has also been found that exercise can also increase energy levels for people with chronic fatigue syndrome and other health conditions such as cancer.

5. Prevents age-related muscle loss

As you age, it's natural to start losing muscle mass.

This can lead to a decrease in strength and mobility, and an increased risk of falls and injuries.

However, regular exercise can help to prevent age-related muscle loss, and even reverse it in some cases.

One study of over 700 adults found that those who exercised regularly were less likely to experience age-related muscle loss than those who didn't.

Another study showed that regular exercise can help to increase muscle mass and strength in older adults.

It's important to maintain muscle strength as you age in order to help avoid injuries from falls and other accidents.

6. Can boost your mood and happiness levels

Exercise can also boost your mood and happiness levels.

This is because it releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good.

One study  found that those who exercised regularly were more likely to be happy than those who didn't.

Exercise can also help to improve your self-esteem and confidence which can make you feel better and happier.

Exercise also improves your appearance which can give you a boost in confidence and make you feel better about yourself.

If you're feeling down, regular exercise can help to pick you up and make you feel better.

7. Enhances cognitive function

Exercise has also been found to enhance cognitive function.

This means that it can help to improve your memory, concentration, and thinking skills.

A study of over 2,000 people found that those who exercised regularly were more likely to have better cognitive function than those who didn't.

Another study showed that regular exercise can help to improve memory in older adults.

It can also help to increase the size of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory.

8. Strengthens bones and joints

Exercise can also help to strengthen your bones and joints.

This is because it helps to increase your overall bone density, and can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

A study of more than 1,500 adults found that those who exercised regularly were less likely to experience bone loss than those who didn't.

Exercise can also help to reduce the risk of joint pain and arthritis.

It's important to keep your bones and joints strong as you age in order to help prevent injuries and pain.

9. Can reduce pain and inflammation

Exercise can also help to reduce pain and inflammation.

This is because it helps to increase your overall fitness level, and makes your heart and lungs work more efficiently.

This moves more oxygen through your body and allows your muscles to be more efficient.

Studies have shown that those who exercised regularly had less pain and inflammation than those who didn't.

Exercise can also help to reduce the symptoms of conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.

It's important to keep your muscles and joints healthy in order to reduce pain and inflammation.

10. Reduces stress and anxiety levels

Exercise can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels.

This is because it helps to release endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good.

One study of over 2,000 people found that those who exercised regularly were less likely to be stressed and anxious than those who didn't.

Exercise can also help to improve your self-esteem and confidence which can make you feel better and less stressed.

If you're feeling stressed, regular exercise can help to calm you down and make you feel better.

11. Improves sleep quality

When you exercise, your body uses energy.

This lost energy is recovered during sleep as your system goes through it's natural restorative process.

The more energy you expend, the more restored, hence better sleep.

You have probably noticed this in the past when you had a physically challenging day and you slept so good during that night.

It has been found that cardio and stretching exercises work best for relaxation and better sleep.

Try an aerobics class or yoga class and see what works best for you.

Conclusion

So, what do all of these benefits have in common?

They're all caused by the bodies reaction to exercise, releasing endorphins, improving oxygen flow, and engaging restorative processes.

Exercise can help to improve your mood, increase your self-esteem and confidence, reduce stress and anxiety levels, improve sleep quality, and strengthen your bones and joints.

It's important to get regular exercise in order to keep your body and mind healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions