Did you know worldwide obesity has tripled since 1975? According to the World Health Organization, roughly 13% of adults in 2016 were obese. Yikes. That’s much higher than you might’ve assumed.
Although diet and nutrition may play an equal, if not more important, role in weight loss and just general wellbeing, exercise is where a lot of people start.
We all know exercise can help control your weight. But what else can it do for you?
Promotes happiness
Yes, exercise is directly correlated with happiness. It lifts your mood and combats depression, anxiety and stress.
It’s no surprise many of the world’s most successful (including Michelle Obama) get up and get moving to start their day.
According to this infograph, exercise
Increases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals and reduces levels of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline in the body.
What are you waiting for?
Slows aging
Exercise will most certainly help you in the long run. For one, it lowers your risk of cardiovascular diseases by boosting your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and minimizing unhealthy triglycerides.
Exercise will also fight
- Stroke
- Metabolic syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Many types of cancer
- Arthritis
“Muscle-mass preservation” and increasing bone density are essential for you as you get older. In fact, working your muscles is linked to significantly (more than 80%) smaller chances of developing heart disease.
Hit the weights today for a more comfortable tomorrow.
Better sleep
Tired of counting sheep? Do some cardio.
Cycling, biking, running, walking — these can all tackle your insomnia. And what’s great is that you can exercise in the morning or at night. Your sleep quality will improve regardless.
Yoga and pilates are excellent ways to ease your body into sleep mode. As long as you’re raising your body temperature, it will have to come down. This process makes it easy for you to properly nod off.
Optimizes your brain
By upping your heart rate, you’re pumping more oxygen to the brain. Exercise also encourages the growth of new neural connections. Running specifically has an antidepressant effect associated with the growth of cells in the hippocampus, which is the seat of learning and memory.
This Ted talk outlines some of the major brain-related benefits of exercise, one being that, from a single workout, your attention will be more acute and your reaction time faster.
Who wouldn’t want to be mentally sharper?
Self-confidence
A workout in the books gives you a sense of accomplishment. You’re more motivated to cross off other things on your to-do list. You’re feeling strong and convinced you can do anything you set your mind to.
Your body image will begin to brighten when you’re consistent at the gym. You’ll lose that stubborn weight or pack on more muscle. All of this contributes to how you perceive yourself.
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has emphasized the role exercise plays in his life. Without it, he’s out of sorts and not the best version of himself.
It’s the same for all of us.
You’ve heard it so often that by now it’s a stale tune. Exercise, exercise, exercise. But you’re only doing yourself a disservice by refusing to get in at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
If you aren’t one for the gym and equipment, take a stroll around your neighborhood or explore the fun of team sports. Don’t overthink it. Exercise doesn’t have to be one thing for it to be powerful.
As Dr. Nick Cavill puts it:
“If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented.”
