5 Lesser Known Health Benefits Of Regular Exercise

Exercise is a key component to your overall physical and mental wellness. While it's no secret that physical activity can do wonders for the body, it can also have incredible benefits that you may not know. Here, we get into how exercise affects your health and the benefits associated with it.

Promotes Better Sleep Quality

Studies show that exercise helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and deepen your sleep. How? It is easy, the energy you exert over the course of doing any physical activity stimulates the recovery process during sleep. 

Helps Boost Your Mood

Not only does it boost your serotonin, but it also increases hormones that naturally combat stress and anxiety. Research has shown that getting regular exercise has just as much of an effect on your mood as an antidepressant. 

Boosts Your Energy

It's no secret that regular exercise can help boost muscle strength and help increase boost your endurance, but it also can boost your energy naturally. Exercise delivers nutrients and oxygen to your muscle tissue and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. When this happens, your heart and lung health improves giving you more energy throughout the day. 

Helps Brain Health & Function

Want to keep your brain sharp? Exercise helps keep your thinking and learning skills sharp as you age. Getting in a consistent workout stimulates your body to release chemicals that improve the function of your brain. Research shows that people that exercise regularly have higher levels of brain function than those who don’t.

Reduces the Risk of Chronic Disease

No matter your current weight, being physically active boosts "good" cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This keeps your blood flowing smoothly which decreases your risk of chronic diseases. It's been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular fitness which helps keep major complications and diseases at bay. 

In conclusion, being physically active 3-5 times a week has major health benefits. It can consist of anything from a 10 minute walk or an intense workout session, what matters is that you're doing it and keeping it consistent.