Proven Health Benefits Of Daily Exercise

Exercise is defined as any physical movement that requires your body to burn calories and makes your muscles work. Experts divide physical activities into different types, including walking, running, jogging, swimming, dancing, and cycling to name a few.

Being physically and mentally active has been shown to have several health benefits. Some studies prove that it may even help you live a longer and happier life. Here are some proven ways daily exercise benefits your mind and body.  

Exercise will make you feel happier

Studies have shown that daily exercise can improve your mood and help decrease feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety. Exercise produces certain changes in the parts of the brain that are linked to regulation of stress and anxiety. Doing regular exercise can also increase the sensitivity of the brain for the hormones norepinephrine and serotonin, which relieve depression.

Furthermore, exercise can stimulate the production of endorphins, hormones secreted from the brain that are known to help decrease pain and produce positive feelings. Additionally, exercise has been shown to be effective for people suffering from anxiety. 

Interestingly, it doesn't matter what type of exercise you are doing or how intense your workout is. Clinical trials have shown that your brain can benefit from regular exercise - no matter the type or intensity of the physical activity.

Exercise can help with weight loss

Recent studies have proven that inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are a major factor in weight gain and obesity. To figure out the effect of regular exercise on weight reduction, it is essential to understand the relationship between physical activity and energy or calorie expenditure.

Your body spends calories in three primary ways: digesting food, breathing, and exercising and maintaining optimal body functions like your heartbeat and cellular reactions.

A reduced calorie intake lowers your metabolic rate and lowers energy expenditure - which will delay weight loss. On the other hand, regular exercise has been proven to increase your metabolic rate and increase the consumption of calories - which will burn more energy and help you shed those extra pounds. 

Exercise is good for your muscles and bones

Daily exercise plays a significant role in building, maintaining, and strengthening muscles, bones, and joints. When paired with adequate protein intake, physical activity such as weight lifting and HIIT can stimulate muscle building.

This is because exercise is shown to help release muscle-building hormones that promote your muscles to absorb nutrients and amino acids. This helps them grow, maintain their basic structure and reduces their breakdown. With age, people tend to lose muscle mass - which can lead to injuries, loss of function and disabilities. Practicing physical activity is play an important role in reducing muscle loss, decreasing breakdown and maintaining strength as you age.

Exercise can reduce your risk of chronic diseases

Various studies have proven that lack of regular physical activity is one of the primary causes of chronic diseases. Daily exercise is linked to improved cardiovascular fitness and body composition and enhance insulin sensitivity - yet decrease blood fat levels and blood pressure. 

On the other hand, a lack of daily exercise - even in the short term – is linked to a significant increase in thigh and belly fat, which significantly increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and early death. Therefore, daily exercise is recommended to melt body fat, boost metabolism and decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases.