The importance of following a regular physical routine has been emphasized since ages, even when very less scientific evidence was available in the favor of the same. People have been exercising and taking up a fitness routine for various reasons like building muscles, burning calories, improving strength, or simply maintaining their health and fitness. In case you haven’t found a reason yet or are not motivated enough to leave your couch and hit the tracks, find below top 5 reasons why you need to incorporate a moderate exercise session in your daily routine. 

• Physical activity can alleviate stress and anxiety 

The idea of exercising or hitting the gym may seem unpleasant or stressful initially, however, the fact is exactly the opposite. Studies show that exercising regularly makes you feel good, reduces stress levels, anxiety, depression, and improves your overall mood. This is because your brain releases “feel-good” chemicals like endorphins, dopamine and serotonin while performing physical activities and exercising. So, ditch the back seat and take control over your mood shifts by exercising regularly in a pleasant environment. 

• It helps you achieve and maintain the right body mass index 

Only dieting and no exercising can affect your weight loss journey negatively rather than aiding it, unlike your expectations. Dieting and low-calorie consumption reduce your metabolism, thus, slowing down the process of weight loss. On the other hand, exercising regularly increases your metabolic rate and helps you burn calories, both of which are crucial to losing weight. Also, exercising can help you maintain your muscle mass and maximize fat loss. Therefore, combine a full-body exercise routine with a regulated diet to achieve your weight loss goals sooner and maintain the right BMI by following it every day. 

• Exercising improves your muscle, bone and heart health 

With ageing, our body tends to lose muscle mass, our bone density reduces and heart health deteriorates due to the body’s reduced capacity to make new cells and replace the older, dying ones. However, exercising regularly and staying physically active helps improve your muscle, bone and heart health by releasing necessary hormones and stimulating anabolic processes. Improved bone health further reduces the chances of osteoporosis, a common bone condition that affects people in older age. 

• Staying physically active improves your sleep cycle and quality 

Several studies have proved the positive impact of exercising over a person’s sleep cycle and quality. As your body energy levels deplete and body temperature rises while exercising, the recuperative processes are stimulated during sleep, which further helps you relax and sleep better. In some cases, exercising has also been observed to help people with insomnia. Along with improving your sleep cycle, a good exercise routine keeps you energetic during the rest of the day. 

The Bottom Line 

In addition to being crucial, physical fitness routines have also become exciting as one can now opt for activities like Zumba, swimming, dancing, cycling, jogging or playing sports like soccer or basketball. So, if you were looking for motivation or “exercise benefits for healthy living” to jump in your running shoes, you have found more than enough, that too, right from certified health experts. Also, make sure you take necessary measures to prevent any exercise-related injury. Wear-good fitting shoes, comfortable clothes, and keep your cell phone with you, if working outdoors without any company. For further guidance, consult physical therapists, general physicians, and dieticians at HJ Hospitals and attain the best of health and fitness!