Today, I am going to write about why you should exercise regularly. “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits. Only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity.Everyone can experience the health benefits of physical activity – age, abilities, ethnicity, shape, or size do not matter(https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm#:~:text=Being%20physically%20active%20can%20improve,activity%20gain%20some%20health%20benefits.). Here are some cool facts regarding what exercise can do for other parts of the body.
“Recent research has suggested that the Exercise we do to improve our body also helps our brain.When we do high intensity Exercise our heart rate increases, supplying more blood flow to the brain. The increased heart rate also increases our breathing, making us breathe harder and faster. As a result more oxygen is supplied in our blood stream, more oxygen reaches our brain. This leads to neurogenesis, which is the production of neurons. Research has indicated that physical Exercise increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus, a brain area important for learning and memory. Additionally, Exercise also influences the neurotrophins, it’s the family of proteins that aids in neuron survival, development and function. This leads to greater brain plasticity and as a result better memory and learning. Regular physical activity lowers the risk of developing cognitive impairment, such as dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. This improvement from the exercise is for people with normal and also impaired cognitive health, including people with ADHD, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. I have learned from experience that working out does not only benefit your physical health and appearance but also my mental health.”(https://wholebrainhealth.org/exercise-and-brain-health/?gclid=CjwKCAiA3aeqBhBzEiwAxFiOBi7XHrF-xUoXNXdlnNc7OxiOtJu6ZrIQqzW-fLUOaRHYYO9w46JP0RoCnr8QAvD_BwE). This fact may be long, but I found it so interesting and useful. This article also states, “Additionally, exercise also modulates the secretion of major neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin which are linked with treating depression. Indirectly, Exercise improves mood and sleep, and reduces stress and anxiety. Trouble in these aspects of our life frequently causes or contributes to cognitive impairment.” When I am having a bad day mentally, I like to go out by myself and workout or kick a soccer ball around. Getting away from the real world and on your own gives your brain time to relax and not be full.
Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal states Exercise for mental health by Pmc. While working out, I feel my anxiety levels decrease.
‘Mental health and physical health are closely connected. No kidding — what’s good for the body is often good for the mind. Knowing what you can do physically that has this effect for you will change your day and your life.
Physical activity has many well-established mental health benefits. These are published in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and include improved brain health and cognitive function (the ability to think, if you will), a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, and improved sleep and overall quality of life. Although not a cure-all, increasing physical activity directly contributes to improved mental health and better overall health and well-being.”(https://health.gov/news/202112/physical-activity-good-mind-and-body).
All these facts I am providing have a significant role in why we should workout. This same article says- Roughly half of all people in the United States will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime, with anxiety and anxiety disorders being the most common. Major depression, another of the most common mental health disorders, is also a leading cause of disability for middle-aged adults. Compounding all of this, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can affect people’s ability to take part in health-promoting behaviors, including physical activity. In addition, physical health problems can contribute to mental health problems and make it harder for people to get treatment for mental health disorders.
Overall,reading all these facts made me realize why working out is so important to all of us, no matter the age or who you are. Working out is essential.