Exercise is good for you. There is no doubt about that. Exercising regularly is even better for you. According to the CDC, only 30.7% of American adults engage in physical activity frequent enough to be considered a “regular” activity.

Some other important numbers in terms of health in the United States include the 10% of American adults who are depressed and 35% of American adults who are obese. Adding more exercise to your daily routine can help you avoid joining those statistics and keep your body strong and healthy!

Depression

The link between depression and exercise has been documented in numerous studies and it has been found that regular exercise can improve mood in people with mild to moderate depression. Although it may not have quite as intense of an effect on those with severe depression, it holds the potential to provide benefits.

Physical activity stimulates your brain to release certain chemicals while you exercise, including endorphins, which produce a positive feeling within the body. Endorphins reduce the sensitivity to pain and improve your mood, which may be why you feel so great after you just worked out. If you have been feeling depressed or anxious lately, a good dose of exercise might be just what the doctor ordered!

Obesity

Regular exercise is widely known to control weight and prevent excess weight gain. Exercising burns calories and the longer and more intense your workout is, the more calories you will burn. Even a daily walk can help you maintain your weight and you will feel happier after, too.

Exercising also improves muscle tone and strength, which leads to a better, younger, fitter looking body. It also increases energy levels, which will keep you motivated to exercise day after day. Exercise helps to overall reduce body fat and ward off obesity, which is one of the most pressing issues facing our nation’s population today.

Heart Disease

Heart disease, another one of the top killers in the United States, may also be prevented by regular exercise. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the top risk factors for heart disease, so your desk job might be doing you more harm than good. Regular exercise helps strengthen the heart and help protect it against cardiovascular problems like a heart attack or congestive heart failure.

Another benefit of exercise is lowered blood pressure, which also reduces your risk of having heart disease. Working out is a great way to rid your body of stress, which is one of the top contributors to heart attacks. Lastly, exercise improves your sleep which rests your body and allows it to function at its full potential, decreasing the risk of any strain.

Exercise Isn’t Boring!

When most people think about exercising, they think about running or lifting weights at the gym. Exercise doesn’t have to be a grueling task to accomplish all of these amazing reductions in disease risk factors. Biking, swimming, or taking a walk are all great low impact ways to include regular exercise in your lifestyle.

Make sure you stretch before you workout. Failure to stretch can result in injuries that may leave you unable to exercise for weeks. Proper stretching can help you maximize your workout and keep you feeling great!

Exercise is an easy way to keep your body in tip-top shape and avoid succumbing to diseases that are all too common across the United States. Find your own motivation and stick with it!