Answer:
Explanation:
Exercise is not just about aerobic capacity and muscle size. Sure, exercise can improve your physical health and your physique, trim your waistline, improve your sex life, and even add years to your life. But that’s not what motivates most people to stay active.
PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
First, let’s check out just a few of the physical benefits of regular exercise:
Weight loss and weight control
Increased muscle strength and muscle mass (which helps burn calories and fat)
Increased energy
Improved flexibility and movement
Lower risk of some types of cancer (Exercising at least 4 hours per week has been shown to lower risk of breast cancer by 37%!)
Reduced risk of Diabetes 2 and metabolic syndrome
Improved immune system, for overall better health
Increased “good” cholesterol to keep blood flowing smoothly
Lower risk of a heart attack and stroke
Helps smokers quit with higher success rates
Strength training & weight-bearing exercise (like walking, jogging, etc), promotes stronger bones (which is particularly helpful for women entering menopause, when bone density is lost)
In short, Exercise can increase your life expectancy by an average of 7 years! (One study in New England Journal of Medicine showed that asymptomatic women who weren’t fit had twice the risk of death than those who were fit!)
MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
Regular aerobic exercise increases levels of seratonin and dopamine in the brain, which is linked with improved mood
Aerobic exercise increases endorphins, or the “feel good” chemicals in the body, improving mood and energy
Exercise enhances the mind’s ability to withstand daily hassles and stressors and to regulate itself
Research shows exercise can alleviate symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome and Depression in women
Regular exercise has been shown equal to antidepressant use in treating Major Depressive Disorder
Exercise is associated with deeper relaxation and better quality of sleep (which protects the brain and increases energy)
Strength training has been shown to decrease tension and worry in the body and mind
Studies show exercise reduces/treats and may prevent anxiety and panic attacks
Exercise increases mental clarity and efficiency
Improves cognitive functioning in middle age and beyond
Exercise is associated with better thinking, learning, and judgment
It can help you tap into intuition and creativity
Exercise increases assertiveness and enthusiasm for life
Studies show exercise leads to a higher quality sex life
Group or partner exercise increases social activity and decreases feelings of loneliness and isolation
Those who exercise regularly tend to have a better body-image
Regular exercise is associated with higher self-esteem
Overall, exercise is one of the best ways to improve happiness and life satisfaction
