The Six Key Benefits to Regular Exercise
What is your exercise routine like? Is it something you do religiously, or is it more of a โsometimesโ activity. Maybe you donโt see the value of exercise at all.ย
Our relationship with exercise definitely changes across our lifespan. When we are young, exercise isnโt actually called โexercise.โ Itโs playing with our friends, kicking a ball or riding our bikes. As we get older, it could be team or individual sports. But when we become adults, suddenly it becomes โexerciseโ and, with that, comes a lot of baggage. Exercise no longer becomes fun or enjoyable, it becomes a chore that you have to do because you know itโs good for you. But do you actually know why itโs good for you in the first place?
Our bodies are constantly changing in relation to our environment. As humans, we are made to adapt. If we do activities that put load on our muscles, we get stronger. If we move our body in a way that keeps our heart rate and demand for oxygen up, we get fitter. The same is true for loading our bones with weight bearing exercise, and doing mobility exercises for flexibility.ย
So, as adults, why should we take time out of our busy lives to invest in exercise?
HEART HEALTH:
Men and women who exercise regularly have been found to have aย reduced risk of death, even if they have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity).
MUSCLE MAINTENANCE:ย
Regular exercise is the only way toย consistently prevent muscle loss associated with ageing. Exercise produces the same beneficial effects in older adults as it does with younger individuals.
BONE STRENGTH:ย
Exercise is one of theย key modifiable factors capable of influencing bone healthย by preventing the destruction of bone cells and preserving bone mass and strength.
GUT HEALTH:
There is some evidence emerging that exercise may play a part inย diversifying the microbial composition of the gutย which can contribute to suitable signalling along the brain-gut axis and overall health status of the person.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS:
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and some cancers can be caused as a result of a sedentary lifestyle.ย Physical activity can prevent, or delay, the diagnosis of many chronic diseases.
As with anything in life, the benefits of exercise and moving your body come when you do itย consistently. So many people tell me that they donโt exercise because they donโt enjoy it. To them I say this: youโre not doing the right kind of exercise for you. If you donโt enjoy the exercise youโre currently doing, find something you do enjoy, and do that instead. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to exercise because of the physical benefits, and those benefits are definitely important, but effect of regular exercise on our mental health shouldnโt be overlooked.ย
MENTAL HEALTH AND STRESS RELIEF:
Exercise isย comparable to antidepressant medicationย as a first-line treatment for people with mild to moderate depression and is an effective method inย managing the symptoms of anxietyย in people with anxiety and stress-related disorders.
At the end of the day, we all want to live our lives feeling healthy, happy and strong, especially as we get older. If exercise is already a part of your weekly routine, keep at it! If exercise hasnโt been a priority in your life, I think this quote sums it up best:
โIf you donโt make time for exercise, youโll probably have to make time for illnessโย
โ Robin S. Sharma
RACHEL EVANS
Exercise Physiologist
Rachel is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist based in Australia. She has worked with hundreds of clients to help them become fitter, stronger, healthier and more confident regardless of age, injury or experience level. She is the founder and director of RE.connection Project – an online program and community aiming to make health and wellness more accessible to women around the world.
Website:ย www.reconnectionproject.com.au
Instagram:ย @re.connection_project
Facebook:ย www.facebook.com/re.
