Health benefits of regular exercise

According to this definition on healthline, exercise is any activity or movement that requires you to move your body and burn calories along the way. These activities or movements can be dancing, playing football, basketball, swimming or even taking walks. The list of health benefits of regular exercise is endless.

Many may argue that exercise does not guarantee you won’t fall sick or live over 100 years. However, those who have been able to attain consistency with regular exercise will affirm that exercise’s physical and mental benefits are priceless. As someone with over 3 years of consistent routine, I can boldly tell you that you’ll thank yourself when you start exercising regularly.

Below are some of the easy-to-notice health benefits of regular exercise

1. Exercise can improve the quality of sleep.

This has to be my favorite benefit of regular exercise. As someone who struggles to find sleep, I realize I get much longer and deeper sleep when I work out. Another thing worthy of note for me is that when I lay on the bed, the time it takes for me to dose off is quite shorter than it would have been if I didn’t exercise.

Looking at the Global Insomnia Statistics in 2022 & 202 you will agree that many people, at some point in their lives, find it difficult to fall asleep. Regular exercise can help people fall asleep easily. When you engage the muscles through different movements, you burn calories and, in the process, exhaust yourself. People tend to fall asleep faster when tired; exercising regularly can help you achieve that.

2. Exercise helps you manage your weight.

Taking time to regularly exercise your body is one sure way to maintain your fitness goal. Over the past 3 years, I have maintained a consistent weight range. Whether your goal is to add weight or you want to embark on a weight loss journey, regular workouts will help you align with your goal.

In addition, regular exercise is one of the safest means of losing excess body weight instead of going through surgical methods.

3. Exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Physical activities help to improve cardiovascular health. According to this research on the Effects of Exercise to Improve Cardiovascular Health by the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States, physical activities decrease cardiovascular risk factors.

Regular exercise can help lower the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, and several other heart-related diseases.

4. Increased energy level and improved mood.

This is another benefit of regular exercise that I find super helpful. I found out that every time I wake up after previously exercising, I feel energized. 

Studies have also shown that regular exercise increases testosterone levels in the human body. Apart from being the primary sex hormone for men, testosterone is needed in the development and maintenance of masculine physical attributes, such as muscle mass, strength, etc.

5. Exercise can help reduce stress.

Any time I have a long and stressful day, exercising is one way of recreation for me. It offers an avenue to disconnect from your regular daily routine. When you are exercising your mind is solely engaged in the activities you are doing. 

Conclusion

So far, I have highlighted some of the health benefits that I have noticed over the years since I started making a conscious effort to stay consistent with regular exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous. You can turn your favorite activities into effective workout sessions too.

However, one problem many people have is finding consistency with regular exercise. If you are in this bracket, then reading this article on how to get started with fitness and remain consistent will be helpful to you.