What If It Were Between Exercise or Illness?
Today, it might be.
“Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.”
— Edward Smith Stanley
Just for today…
Find time for exercise or find time for illness.
Joking.
But seriously, exercise today, even if it’s a 5-minute walk.
Your future non-illness self will thank you.
We all know that exercise is good for us, but sometimes it can be hard to find the time or motivation to get moving. But making time for exercise could actually save you time in the long run. Here are 11 reasons why exercise will keep you from illness.
1. Exercise strengthens your immune system.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that connect with the receptors in your brain that reduce the perception of pain. Also, when you exercise, you increase your body’s production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies. This helps your body fight off illness more effectively.
2. Exercise improves circulation.
One of the benefits of exercise is improved circulation. When your circulation is working well, your cells and organs receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly. This helps your body to fight off infection and can even help to speed up the healing process if you do happen to get sick.
3. Exercise boosts energy levels.
If you’re feeling run down, exercise can give you the energy boost you need. Regular physical activity can increase your overall fitness level and make it easier for you to handle day-to-day activities without feeling as tired or fatigued. Oddly enough, the more you exercise the more energy you have throughout the day.
4. Exercise improves brain function.
Exercise has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function in people of all ages, from kids to older adults. One study showed that six months of regular aerobic exercise improved executive function (including planning and multi-tasking) in young adults by up to 19%.
5. Exercise helps you sleep better.
Quality sleep is important for overall health and well-being, and exercise can help with that. When you’re physically active during the day, you’re more likely to feel tired at night and fall asleep more easily. Plus, exercise can help improve the quality of your sleep by reducing the amount of time spent in lighter stages of sleep and increasing deep sleep time (which is when your body really rests and recovers).
6. Exercise lowers your risk of chronic diseases.
Chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some forms of cancer are major health concerns as we age. But regular physical activity can help lower your risk of developing these conditions. By exercising regularly, you’re doing your part to reduce your risk of chronic illness later down the road.
7. Exercise reduces stress.
Stress can take a toll on your health, both mentally and physically. It can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness.
When you’re under stress, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that triggers the fight-or-flight response in the body. This response increases heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
However, regular exercise has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body and lower stress levels overall. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress levels and improve your overall sense of well-being.
8. Exercise improves your cardiovascular health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but regular exercise can help reduce your risk of developing this disease. Exercise strengthens your heart muscle and lowers your resting heart rate. It also helps to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. All of these factors combine to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
9. Exercise helps to control weight.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health, and exercise can help you to achieve this. When you exercise, you burn calories and build muscle mass. Muscle mass burns more calories at rest than fat tissue, so by increasing your muscle mass through exercise, you will boost your metabolism and burn more calories even when you’re not working out. Additionally, the more you exercise, the more you’ll tend to make healthier food choices and will be less likely to overeat.
10. Exercise improves mental health.
We all know that exercise does wonders for our physical health, but it also does a lot for our mental health as well. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood and self-esteem, and increase brain function. Plus, it’s a great way to combat stress. So if you’re feeling down, get up and get moving!
11. Exercise lowers healthcare costs.
The health benefits of regular exercise often lead to lower healthcare costs over time. One study showed that inactivity costs the US healthcare system $24 billion every year in direct medical costs (like doctor’s visits) and indirect costs (like missed work days).
Conclusion
Exercise is good for so many things! Not only does it improve our physical health, but it also has a positive impact on our mental health. It’s also been shown to reduce stress levels, boost energy levels, improve sleep quality, strengthen the immune system, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and improve circulation.
Get out there and start exercising! Your body (and mind) will thank you later.
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