Exercise has a profound impact on both the outside and inside of our bodies. According to numerous studies, exercise has been associated with an improved mood, enhanced cognitive performance, and countless other perks in addition to the extensive and more well-known benefits for our physical health and longevity. Read below to learn about all the benefits you can take advantage of when you exercise consistently.
Physical Benefits
We all know exercising improves our physical health, but many of us should be exercising more. While correlated with an overall longer life span, aerobic exercise is also associated with significantly lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, colon cancer, high blood pressure, type II diabetes and more, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and regular exercise plays a role in extending your life by improving your heart health. In addition to reducing your risk for a variety of chronic conditions, exercise can also help you manage changes in weight, whether you are trying to bulk up or slim down. Certain exercises and stretches combined with treatments like chiropractic adjustments can also promote relief from back and neck pain.
Mental Benefits
Although the physical benefits of exercise are more well-known, the psychological benefits of exercise can also have a profound impact on your long-term health. Some studies have shown that exercise may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, as exercise increases valuable blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Exercise is also associated with decreased feelings of depression because regular workouts produce endorphins that can enhance our sense of well-being, help build confidence, and form healthy coping mechanisms. Additionally, exercise may also result in profound benefits for children with improved cognitive performance and fewer disciplinary incidents reported for children that exercised compared to those that do not.
Social Benefits
In addition to boosting our physical and mental health, exercise also has numerous benefits for our socioemotional well-being. Joining a gym or workout group is a great way to make new friends and form meaningful relationships, and these friendships can help keep you accountable for exercising consistently. Having an exercise partner or getting involved in group fitness classes can help keep you motivated and ease you into a regular workout routine. Exercise through a sports team is especially beneficial for children and adolescents, as these teams teach social skills, as well as valuable life skills like teamwork, cooperation, and resilience.
While exercise is an essential element of healthy living, eating a balanced diet also affects our longevity and overall health. If you aren’t sure how to go about improving your physical or mental health, start slow with moderate exercise every few days, and build up to regular moderate exercise or aerobic activity for around 25 minutes each day. Complement your exercise with a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and muscle-building foods to keep your body functioning at its best.
At All American Healthcare, we prioritize all aspects of your health, from exercise and healthy eating to living pain-free. If you are unable to exercise consistently due to long-term pain or you have some new post-workout aches, visit us at All American Healthcare to see if our chiropractors and medical staff can help you find relief from chronic pain. All of our consultations are free, so make an appointment and start living a healthier, pain-free life today!
