10 Benefits of Regular Exercise for Health

Regular exercise is fundamental for improving your health and well-being. At the Marc Bony Chiropractic Center in Mataró, we explain how physical activity can be your ally in the pursuit of a healthier life.

Regular exercise is key to a healthy life. At the Marc Bony Chiropractic Center in Mataró, we show you how physical activity can transform your well-being.

10 benefits of regular exercise

There are many types of physical activity, such as swimming, running, jogging, walking, and dancing, to name a few. It has been shown that being active with regular exercise has many health benefits, both physically and mentally. It can even help you live longer. The best forms of regular exercise benefit your body and brain.

1. It can make you feel happier

Exercise improves your mood and decreases feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Changes occur in the parts of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety. It can also increase the brain’s sensitivity to the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which relieve feelings of depression. Additionally, exercise can increase the production of endorphins, which are known to help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain. Moreover, exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms in people who suffer from anxiety. It can also help you become more aware of your state and the mental practice distracts you from your fears. Interestingly, it does not matter how intense the workout is. It seems that your mood can benefit from exercise, regardless of the intensity of physical activity. In fact, a study conducted on 24 women who had been diagnosed with depression showed that exercise of any intensity significantly decreased feelings of depression. The effects of exercise on mood are so potent that the choice of exercising (or not) even makes a difference in short periods. In a study, 26 healthy men and women who usually exercised regularly were asked to continue exercising or stop exercising for two weeks. Those who stopped exercising experienced an increase in negative mood.  

2. It can help with weight loss

Some studies have shown that inactivity is a major factor in weight gain and obesity. To understand the effect of exercise on weight reduction, it is important to understand the relationship between exercise and energy expenditure. Your body expends energy in three ways: digesting food, exercising, and maintaining body functions like heartbeats and breathing. While diet, a reduction in caloric intake will lower your metabolic rate, which will delay weight loss. On the contrary, regular exercise has been shown to increase your metabolic rate, which translates into burning more calories and helps you lose weight. Furthermore, studies have shown that combining aerobic exercise with resistance training can maximize fat loss and muscle mass maintenance, which is essential for keeping off the lost weight.  

3. It is good for muscles and bones

Exercise plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. Physical activity like weight lifting can stimulate muscle building when combined with adequate protein intake. This is because exercise helps release hormones that promote the muscles’ ability to absorb amino acids. This helps them grow and reduces their breakdown. As people age, they tend to lose muscle mass and function, which can lead to injuries and disabilities. Engaging in regular physical activity is essential to reduce muscle mass loss and maintain strength with age. Additionally, exercise helps build bone density when you are younger, as well as help prevent osteoporosis later in life. Interestingly, high-impact exercise, such as gymnastics or running, or odd-impact sports, like soccer and basketball, has been shown to promote higher bone density than non-impact sports like swimming and cycling.  

4. It can boost your energy levels

Exercise can be a real energy booster for healthy people, as well as those suffering from various medical conditions. A six-week study in 36 healthy people who reported persistent fatigue found that regular exercise reduced feelings of fatigue. Furthermore, exercise can significantly boost energy levels for people suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and other serious illnesses. In fact, exercise appears to be more effective at combating chronic fatigue syndrome than other treatments, including passive therapies like relaxation and stretching, or no treatment at all. Additionally, exercise has been shown to increase energy levels in people suffering from progressive diseases, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. &nbs