Whatever your age, weight or physical condition, aerobic exercise is good for you. Find out why, get the motivation and get moving! 

How your body responds to aerobic exercise

When you indulge in aerobic activity, you’ll breathe faster and deeper. That means more oxygen gets into your blood stream, which in turn increases blood flow to your muscles and lungs.

Moreover, your brain will release endorphins, a chemical that enhances your sense of well-being.

Whatever you age or condition, physical activity will make you healthier and happier.

Check out these 10 ways that aerobic activity can help you feel better and enjoy life more:

  1. Keep excess kilos away Combined with a healthy diet, aerobic exercise helps you lose weight and keep fit.
  2. Increase your stamina Regular exercise will increase your staying power, reduce fatigue and enable you to do more.
  3. Protect yourself from viral illnesses Aerobic exercise strengthens your immune system. This may leave you less vulnerable to minor viral illnesses, such as colds and flu.
  4. Reduce your health risks Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of many health risks, such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
  5. Manage chronic conditions Aerobic exercise is known to help in lowering blood pressure and control blood sugar. If you have a heart condition, aerobic exercise will also help you.
  6. Lower cholesterol Aerobic exercise boosts your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good," cholesterol, and lowers your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad," cholesterol. This may result in less build-up of plaque in your arteries.
  7. Boost your mood Aerobic exercise elevates your mood, helps in fighting depression, reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
  8. Stay 'young' as you age Aerobic exercise strengthens your muscles, which helps you stay physically stable and mobile as you get older.
  9. Aerobic exercise also keeps your mind sharp Research indicates that at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week reduces cognitive decline in older adults.
  10. Live longer Studies also indicate that people who indulge in regular aerobic exercise live longer than those who don't exercise regularly.

Don’t rush

Convinced? But remember to start with small steps. Especially if you’ve been inactive for some time, or have a chronic health condition, get your physician’s consent.

And when you start, start slowly. You might walk for 5 minutes in the beginning and gradually build on that. Do not overstrain.

What are the options? Walking, swimming, bicycling are some.

Start today. And stay healthy tomorrow.