5 Reasons To Get Off The Couch
Posted by Janelle Brown on
By now it shouldn’t come as a surprise that movement and exercise is good for you. But what you may not know is getting moving does way more than help you get into your favorite pair of pants. Consistent exercise is great for overall health, and even a few things that may surprise you.
MOVEMENT REDUCES STRESS
The next time you have a bad day at work (or anywhere), try hitting the gym. Exercising causes us to produce more endorphins which improve our mood. It also changes the hormones that affect our mood including dopamine, serotonin and nor-epinephrine.
YOUR HEART LOVES IT
Consistent movement and exercise not only keeps your heart muscle strong, it also helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) as well as your blood pressure. It even increases blood flow while decreasing your chances of developing a blood clot.
EXERCISE=LESS COLDS
Research has shown that those who move and exercise on a regular basis are 23% less likely to get colds than those who move less. Here’s another bonus: if exercisers do come down with a cold, they recover more quickly. As little exercise as 30 minutes of brisk walking is believed to increase the immune system for a few hours every day!
IT’S GOOD FOR MOMS-TO-BE
We talked about the positive effects stretching has during pregnancy, but regular movement and exercise is very beneficial for a healthy pregnancy. For expectant moms who are cleared to exercise, simple walking helps keep the heart strong and muscles in shape. It may also alleviate gas, bloating and constipation, and make labor a bit easier!
MOVEMENT KEEPS YOU YOUNG
Anti-aging creams are great and all, but the real key to staying young at heart could be exercising. Movement enhances blood flow to the brain which may decrease your risk of stroke. Brain arousal also slows down degeneration of the central nervous system so you can stay quick on your feet.
The best part about all of this is it only takes 20-30 minutes a day to reap the benefits of movement. Of course you can do more, but it’s good to know we don’t need to spend 12 hours a week at the gym to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Quick walks through the park can do wonders for the body…and mind!
What are some ways you can get moving this week? Share in the comments!