10 Reasons why being active is good for your health

Working out isn’t necessarily about losing weight; it’s about keeping your body working at an optimal level.

Being physically active can prevent ailments that contribute to a shorter life expectancy.

Here are 10 reasons why some simple exercise is good for you in the long run.

Brain

The brain is a large laboratory with chemicals that are ready to get activated in response to specific needs or circumstances. Working out releases chemicals such as dopamine, endorphins and serotonin, which affect your emotions, happiness and cognitive functions.

Working out doesn’t just make you feel good because of the physical accomplishment, but has also been linked to better mental health, better physical mobility and generally feeling good because of the natural regular dose of the above-mentioned chemicals.

Health

Many things start going right even with the simplest of exercises, like walking for 30 minutes. In addition to the emotional boost you get from being active, your body starts losing fat, which is especially good in two areas: your heart and belly.

Fat around your organs restricts/suffocates them, making it hard for them to move and work like they should. Having less fat allows your heart to beat without strain, and having less fat in your belly means there is less fat covering organs like your intestines.

This is why working out reduces your chances of developing illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and heart conditions.

Appearance

After about a month, you’ve started to notice that you look a bit more toned, and by now you’ve noticed how much you sweat. Good lord! Sweat is really good for your skin because it’s made of water, salt and tiny amounts of other chemicals in your body. The combination of these hydrates and exfoliates your skin, helping out with skin problems.

Eating

After about a month, you’ll start feeling better. You also start changing your priorities about what you want to eat and drink, because you’re weighing out the effects on your body. You start noticing how your body responds to food that you would have normally eaten without thinking twice. You can improve on this by researching on what foods are best for your blood type or for the different ailments you have.

Family

The feel-good chemicals in your brain have a ripple effect. After about 6 months, your mind and body are rested, you have less stress levels and are able to manage negative emotions better. This makes you happier, and open to being more in touch with your emotions. You’ll also start noticing your family warm up to you more.

Sex

You feel good, look good, move better and have more energy. Your pain threshold has also shifted, meaning things that would have had you feeling tired and sore before, won’t anymore. Working out gives you more stamina, and more endurance, which your partner would love to put to good use in the bedroom (or other places you’re now able to experiment with). It’s also fantastic for your sperm count, so if you’re trying for a bundle of joy, working out is the way to go.

Career

You start sleeping better and feeling better, which means your brain has been getting its regular dose of serotonin. Irregular sleep patterns or lack of sleep mess with how your brain processes this chemical, which affects thinking and memory. Now that you’re working out, and your body and mind are rested, your brain is working at its best, making you more productive.

Cancer

Regular exercise is a natural immune booster. Studies have shown a link between people who work out, and suffering from illnesses for a shorter period of time. While the research is still being verified, scientists have also seen a link between working out and lowering your risk of cancers that aren’t lifestyle related. Additionally, because you’re more in tune with your body and what its new normal feels like, you are more likely to notice quicker when something feels off in your body.

Longer life

Working out helps your body age slower. This is because the cells in your body are regenerating as they should be. A lack of physical activity really does slow down many processes in your body, from your immune system, to your metabolism, to your thinking patterns. Plus, a longer life means more time with your loved ones for more memories and building bonds.

Daredevil

If you haven’t worked out in a really long time, starting the process might seem daunting and even a little embarrassing. Starting small is always the way to go, so that you can gauge yourself and what you can handle. A great place to test the waters is the #DaredevilRun2020, where we will be walking and running, to take a stand against testicular and prostate cancers. Click here to find out more.