Exercise should be a part of everyone’s weekly regime. The positive effect of it are so numerous that anyone who has not got the exercise bug really is missing out. Not only does it improve the way you look physically and reduce instances of certain illnesses, but it also helps to make you happier and preserves your mental health. There are many reasons why exercise has this effect, and all of them mean that you should try, no matter how busy you are, to find time for exercise.
Reduces Anxiety and Depression
If you suffer from a low mood and find yourself worrying about everything all the time, then introducing a little exercise into your life can help remove these negative things from your life. Exercise has the effect of increasing your mood by flooding the body with feel-good hormones called endorphins. It also helps the brain hold on to serotonin which is the happy chemical. You don’t have to go mad when exercising as even moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, is enough to boost these happy chemicals and make you feel a lot better.
Stress
Stress is another debilitating condition and can be a precursor to many other illnesses, such as heart disease. So, finding a way to reduce it is not only a good idea, it is fundamentally necessary. Exercise can do this. Exercise naturally removes cortisol, the stress hormone, from the body. Additionally, it helps the body strengthen the central and sympathetic nervous system function. This has the effect of helping your body physically cope with stress and deal with it better.
Sleep
Exercise actually helps you sleep better, which in turn enables to body to repair itself and deal with issues such as stress and anxiety better. When you exercise, your temperature increase, and this has a calming effect on the mind. It also helps you maintain a good circadian rhythm – your sleep-wake cycle. When it comes to exercising, you need to do it at a reasonable hour, which means not too close to bedtime. If you work shifts, you may find the best time is at 3 am in the morning when you finish. Luckily there is always the opportunity to go to a 24/7 gym, so you do not miss out.
Good for the Brain
Well, if you can find something that can make you more intelligent, then why not go for it. Exercise can promote the growth of new brain cells and improve the overall effectiveness of your brain. It can help you remember and learn things too. So, if you are studying you really should try and do some exercise as it can help your academic performance.
Another great effect is that it can slow and even prevent cognitive decline. This is especially important as we age and can help people slow down the progression of things like Alzheimer’s. Exercise not only boosts energy in the body, but it boosts energy in the brain too and helps people think more creatively.
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