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sahtak - June 2010
W
ant to feel better, have more energy
and perhaps even live longer? Look no
further than old-fashioned exercise.
The merits of regular physical activity — from
preventing chronic health conditions to promot-
ing weight loss and better sleep — are hard to ig-
nore. And the benefits are yours for the taking,
regardless of age, sex or physical ability. Need
more convincing? Check out seven specific ways
exercise can improve your life.
1. Exercise improves your mood.
Need to blow off some steam after a stressful
day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute
walk can help you calm down.
Physical activity stimulates various brain chemi-
cals that may leave you feeling happier and more
relaxed than you were before you worked out.
You'll also look better and feel better when you
exercise regularly, which can boost your confi-
dence and improve your self-esteem. Regular
physical activity can even help prevent depression.
2. Exercise combats chronic diseases.
Worried about heart disease? Hoping to pre-
vent osteoporosis? Physical activity might be the
ticket.
Regular physical activity can help you prevent
— or manage — high blood pressure.Your cho-
lesterol will benefit, too. Regular physical activity
boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good,"
cholesterol while decreasing triglycerides.This
one-two punch keeps your blood flowing
smoothly by lowering the buildup of plaques in
your arteries.
And there's more. Regular physical activity can
help you prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis
and certain types of cancer.
3. Exercise helps you manage your
weight.
Want to drop those excess pounds? Trade
some couch time for walking or other physical ac-
tivities.
This one's a no-brainer.When you engage in
physical activity, you burn calories.The more in-
tense the activity, the more calories you burn —
and the easier it is to keep your weight under
control.You don't even need to set aside major
chunks of time for working out.Take the stairs in-
stead of the elevator.Walk during your lunch
break. Do jumping jacks during commercials. Bet-
ter yet, turn off the TV and take a brisk walk.
Dedicated workouts are great, but physical activ-
ity you accumulate throughout the day helps you
burn calories, too.
4. Exercise boosts your energy level.
Winded by grocery shopping or household
chores? Don't throw in the towel. Regular physi-
cal activity can leave you breathing easier.
Physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients
to your tissues. In fact, regular physical activity
helps your entire cardiovascular system — the
circulation of blood through your heart and blood
vessels — work more efficiently. Big deal? You bet!
When your heart and lungs work more efficiently,
you'll have more energy to do the things you
enjoy.
5. Exercise promotes better sleep.
Struggling to fall asleep? Or stay asleep? It
might help to boost your physical activity during
the day.
A good night's sleep can improve your concen-
tration, productivity and mood.And you guessed
it — physical activity is sometimes the key to bet-
ter sleep. Regular physical activity can help you fall
asleep faster and deepen your sleep.There's a
caveat, however. If you exercise too close to bed-
time, you may be too energized to fall asleep. If
you're having trouble sleeping, you might want to
exercise earlier in the day.
6. Exercise can put the spark back into
your sex life.
Are you too tired to have sex? Or feeling too
out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Physical
activity to the rescue.
Regular physical activity can leave you feeling
energized and looking better, which may have a
positive effect on your sex life. But there's more
to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to
enhanced arousal for women, and men who exer-
cise regularly are less likely to have problems with
erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exer-
cise — especially as they get older.
7. Exercise can be — gasp — fun!
Wondering what to do on a Saturday after-
noon? Looking for an activity that suits the entire
family? Get physical!
Physical activity doesn't have to be drudgery.
Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a local
climbing wall or hiking trail. Push your kids on the
swings or climb with them on the jungle gym. Plan
a neighborhood kickball or touch football game.
Find a physical activity you enjoy, and go for it. If
you get bored, try something new. If you're mov-
ing, it counts!
Are you convinced? Good. Start reaping the
benefits of regular physical activity today!
— Mayo Clinic
Exercise: 7 benefits of
regular physical activity
You know exercise is good for you — but do you know how good? From boosting your
mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.
