Both physical and mental health are enhanced by exercise. Everyone can benefit from regular physical activity, which is one of the most important things you can do for your health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Gaining more fitness significantly lowers the chances of chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer that progress slowly over time. Fitness is the one factor that can almost completely prevent diseases. It is said that a physically active man who exercises every now and then but smokes has the chances of living a longer and healthier life than a man who does not smoke and is not physically active. The importance of exercise cannot be over emphasised.
Some of the benefits of exercise will be under listed:
1. Exercise Encourages Long-Term Health
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Exercise has been demonstrated to enhance bone and brain health, improve gastrointestinal function, maintain muscle mass (preventing frailty as you age), lower the risk of numerous diseases, including cancer and stroke and increase sexual function among many others. It is certain through scientific research that the risk of dying from any cause is reduced by 19% by engaging in the recommended 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise each week or a combination of both moderate and vigorous activities.
2. Exercise Aids in Chronic Disease Management
Exercise supports the body’s ability to manage various chronic health issues. Physical activity is even more beneficial if you have diseases such as high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke or some cancers (such as colon, breast, kidney, bladder, oesophageal, uterine etc), multiple sclerosis. Exercise can aid in reducing pain, enhancing insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, promoting mobility, enhancing heart health, reducing the risk of various chronic diseases, and aiding in maintaining excellent mental health.
3. Enhances Cardiovascular Health
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The risk of cardiovascular disease is decreased and the heart benefits from regular exercise. Potential advantages of this include:
i. lowering the cholesterol
ii. lowering blood pressure
iii. lowering the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases
iv. lowering the chance of a stroke.
Physical activity can help lower anxiety, and over the long term can additionally aid in lowering the incidence of depression.
5. Helps build and strengthen muscles
Weight lifting exercise helps in strengthening the muscles. Weight lifting exercises are important for adults especially as they get older. It prevents them from having frail and weak muscles.
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6. Aids in maintaining a healthy weight
Exercise can aid in long-term weight maintenance, albeit it may require more than the advised amount. In addition to maintaining a specific weight, healthy and balanced diet is generally necessary for weight loss and subsequent weight loss maintenance.
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7. Enhances cognitive function and lowers the risk of dementia
Regular exercise can lower the risk of dementia and alzheimer’s in adults. Exercise also enhances specific cognitive functions in persons over 50, such as processing speed. Older persons who engage in physical exercise, cognitive engagement (such as learning new skills), and consume a healthy and balanced diet are more likely to have “brain health”. Findings and research suggests that these actions, possibly together, may aid in preventing cognitive aging and neurodegenerative disease symptoms.
8. Sleep Is Improved by Exercise
Regular exercise can improve your ability to sleep through the night. Research has shown that exercise increased the duration and quality of sleep. It might help regulate your circadian rhythm (so that you experience alertness and sleepiness at the proper times), induce chemical shifts in the brain that encourage sleep, and, according to previous study, lessen insomnia that might otherwise keep you awake.
9. Aids in managing diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with proper healthy diet and Regular exercise. Exercise such as walking can go a long way. 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day is recommended. Various forms of exercise can also help those who have type 2 diabetes or are at risk for developing it by:
i. enhancing blood glucose regulation
ii. lowering cardiovascular risk elements
iii. assisting in weight loss
iv. Delaying or avoiding the onset of type 2 diabetes improving general health
Also, people with type 1 diabetes can also benefit from exercise by:
i. enhancing cardiovascular health
ii. constructing muscle
iii. making insulin sensitivity better
Physical activity and exercise should be recommended and prescribed to all individuals with diabetes as part of management of glycemic control and overall health.
10. Prevents osteoporosis
Exercise can enhance bone health and hence treat or prevent osteoporosis. Regular exercise also helps avoid falls and fractures brought on by a loss of balance and muscle weakness, which is crucial for those who have osteoporosis.
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Exercising regularly has a plethora of benefits. Incorporating exercise into your routine goes a long way in preventing many minor to serious ailments. As the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”. It is wise to start now and the good thing is that there is no bad timing when it comes to physical activities.