Exercising For Overall Health

One of the first things to come to mind when we think of reasons why we should exercise is “How do I lose weight?” The second is “How do I lose belly fat?” These have become the most common reasons why people exercise. It’s all about “physical appearances,” rather than “physical health”.

The top leading causes of death in the United States are ...

• Cardiovascular Diseases

• Cancers

• Respiratory Disease

• Diabetes, Blood and Endocrine Disease

I get it. These questions are valid. Who doesn’t want to lose a few pounds and get into shape physically, we all do; however, the top leading causes of death mentioned above are all caused by a lack of exercising and body movement?” Yes, getting your body moving on a daily bases can save your life. This is why sedentary jobs are the leading causes of cardiovascular disease and obesity, which leads to even more health problems. “A recent study conducted by Dr. William Tigbe from the Warwick Medical School and the University of Warwick found further scientific evidence that office or sedentary jobs are detrimental to cardiovascular health.” Otherwise, being on your bottoms majority of the day is not the healthy way. A body that doesn’t move is lacking the physical activity needed to be healthy and strong. All physical activity is considered exercising if it gets the heart to pumping. Yes Exercising helps you to achieve your fitness “Body Goals” but it is also necessary for more important reasons.

It’s important to exercise because it helps your cardiovascular system. Mayo Clinic recorded “Getting some regular, daily exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease and when you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater” (Mayo Clinic). Harvard Health Publishing published “Regular exercise also improves factors linked to cardiovascular health, resulting in lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels, and better blood sugar regulation”. “Exercise also promotes positive physiological changes, such as encouraging the heart's arteries to dilate more readily. It also helps your sympathetic nervous system (which controls your heart rate and blood pressure) to be less reactive. But these changes may take weeks, months, or even years to reach their full effect” (Harvard Health Publishing).

It’s also important to exercise because it helps you emotionally. Many anxiety sufferers get relief from panic attacks simply by taking a run. Running relieves your body of stresses and balances hormones in the brain that affects you emotionally. Dr. Shawna Charles, PhD in Psychology from Walden University says, “Exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster, decreasing symptoms of both depression and anxiety. Physical activity kicks up endorphin levels, the body’s famous “feel good” chemical produced by the brain and spinal cord that produces feelings of happiness and euphoria. Even just moderate exercise throughout the week can improve depression”. “Increasing your heart rate can actually reverse stress-induced brain damage by stimulating the production of neurohormones like norepinephrine, which not only improve cognition and mood but improve thinking clouded by stressful events. Exercise also forces the body’s central and sympathetic nervous systems to communicate with one another, improving the body’s overall ability to respond to stress” (Dr. Shawna Charles, Walden University).

It’s important to know which exercises work best for you. There are many ways to exercise. Some exercises focuses on physical appearance, while others, de stresses, balances, and energizes the body. Here are a few ways you can exercise:

1. Weight Training: Helps your muscles increase and grow stronger.

2. Cardio: Helps your cardiovascular system and blood flow. It also helps you to lose unwanted weight.

3. Jogging: Helps destress, detox and release healthy hormones into you brain. It’s great for emotional and brain health. It gets rid of foggy thoughts to clear up your thinking.

So you see “Exercising” is important. You cannot eat healthy and avoid exercising. They both work hand-and-hand in achieving a healthy lifestyle, inside-out.