Physical activity is any body movement that works on muscles and burns more calories than burnt while resting. Walking, running, dancing, swimming, yoga, and gardening are a few examples of physical activity. Regular exercise is necessary for physical fitness and good health. It is the performance of some activity in order to develop or maintain physical fitness and overall health.
Exercising has many benefits other than maintaining physical fitness or weight loss. Below are some associated benefits of exercising.
Acts as memory booster
The brain gets more energy and oxygen during exercising. Even mild activity like a leisurely walk can help keep your brain fit and active. Many researchers have found that physical activity boosts your learning skills. Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals called growth factors, which help make new brain cells and establish new connections between brain cells to help us learn faster. By exercising regularly and eating healthy, blood flow is improved and your hormones are at optimum levels, thus increasing your ability to concentrate.
Work as anti-depressant
Exercise is a great way to combat stress. Exercising releases hormones that are natural stress fighters. It stimulates the growth of neurons at brain regions damaged by depression and helps get you distracted from the things stressing you out.
You'll Sleep Better
National Sleep Foundation says that regular exercise can help you sleep better. The best time to work out is in the morning or the afternoon, rather than before going to bed.
Boosts immunity and Decrease risk of illness
Exercise builds up and improves circulation of our white blood cells, which are our body’s primary defence mechanism and they wash off disease causing bacteria. This helps in disease prevention. Even if you have fallen sick or gone through any injury or surgery, exercise helps in recovery by improved blood circulation. The body can better repair itself from damage done by injury or surgery. When you increase muscle tissue and white blood cells by exercising, your body is better able to reduce inflammation that occurs from injury and surgery.
Live Longer
One study found that exercise improves life expectancy as much as quitting smoking does. Just a bit of regular exercise can greatly affect longevity.
Boost Your Confidence by improving your appearance
Not only can exercise help you feel better, but it will help you look better as well by increasing lean mass. This is important because it reduces your body fat and increases your metabolic rate. Exercise can improve your appearance. You can look your best by becoming toned and defined which can even improve confidence levels Exercise can also help you feel more accomplished and social (if you work out at a gym). There is little we can change about our genetics, but we can make healthy and happy choices with the bodies we have.
Feel more energized
When engaging in physical activity, the blood vessels that go to your muscles dilate; causing an increase in blood flow and oxygen to the muscles being worked and can drain your energy quite a bit. But, regular exercise can actually make you feel more energized throughout the day. In fact, one study found that working out in the middle of the day will leave you feeling energized and productive through the rest of the day. A mid-day workout could be a great pick-me-up.