8 Top Advantages of Regular Exercise

Taikhum Sadiq Article published Oct 07, 2019 Article updated Nov 08, 2023

Whether it’s the Yoga-Sutra of the ancient Indians or the Gymnastics of the ancient Greeks, people have been preaching and reaping the benefits of exercise since the birth of civilization. People have been developing various exercises to stay mentally and physically fit since then. The benefits of exercising daily have been enumerated in several discourses, studies, and books around the world.

There are several ways one can adopt an exercise routine in their daily lives. Many people hit the gym, while some engage in sports and other recreational activities that include overall physical exercise and training. But not everyone has the time to go to the gym or go to a field and play. This doesn’t mean we cannot reap the benefits of exercise. There are many exercises that can be done at home or in our backyard for a short period of time in the morning or evening.

We, at HPFY, have listed eight benefits of regular exercise, which helps maintain overall mental & physical health.

1. Boosts brainpower

Neurogenesis refers to the growth and development of neurons or brain cells. Cardiovascular exercises have been proven to boost neurogenesis in the brain. A tougher workout helps increase the production of brain-derived protein. Both in turn train the brain to enhance decision making, learning, and improve a person’s grasping skills. Regular cardio of about 20 minutes before work can increase productivity and reduce stress. Cardio exercises are simple to do and can be performed in a small space.

2. Enhances Your Creativity

Creativity is a key factor to increase productivity in all kinds of work. Regular exercise helps increase blood circulation to the brain and enhances the conductivity of the synapses to alleviate the functioning of the brain. This helps in enhancing your creativity for up to two to three hours. Artists and writers have often said that a small run in the park or a walk in the evening enhances their creativity and allows them to dig deeper into the recesses of the brain.

3. Counters Anxiety

Anxiety and other mental conditions are heavily dependent on the hormones and chemicals in the brain. Exercise can help increase the production of dopamine and serotonin in the body, which are often called the happy chemical or reward chemical. A thirty-minute exercise can help boost the production of these chemicals and counter anxiety. Though exercise cannot cure anxiety or other mental conditions, it helps in alleviating the symptoms and can boost your overall mood.

4. Increases Memory

The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for storing all your memories. Exercising regularly increases the production of neurons in the hippocampus thus enhancing the capacity of your brain to store as well as recall your memories. There are several tablets and medications that claim to increase your memory. But exercising is a cost-free solution to sharpen your memory. Increased memory is directly linked to better learning and thus better execution of your work.

5. Keeping Your Bad Cholesterol in Check

Cholesterol is classified as good and bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol is important for healthy functioning of your body. Bad cholesterol is produced by excessive consumption of unhealthy foods such as foods with trans fats or unsaturated fats and saturated fats. It increases the chances of heart disease, blocked arteries, and can be a factor for other conditions. Regular exercise decreases the production of bad cholesterol, increases the circulation of good cholesterol and cutting down on fat. Obesity, smoking, diabetes, etc. are also indirectly responsible for the increase in bad cholesterol. Exercise helps counter all of them at once.

6. Strengthens Muscles and Bones

Your muscles and bones are the core structure of your body. A healthy body means a healthy functioning of muscles and bones. Regular exercise helps increase the production of blood which in turn strengthens the muscles. Exercise also helps increasing the density of the bones thus strengthening the structure of the body. A regular intake of appropriate nutrient coupled with regular exercise can strengthen the muscles and bones making joints and tendons immune to easy breaking or shearing.

7. Helps Skin Health

Antioxidants are obtained from different foods and are also produced by the body. A good number of antioxidants help in repairing damaged skin cells thus increasing the health of the skin. Many times, reduced supply of oxygen can turn the skin grayish and cause skin problems. Regular exercise increases the circulation of blood to the skin, enhancing the production of antioxidants which alleviates skin health. This stimulated blood flow also reduces wrinkles and slows down the aging process of the skin.

8. Helps Your Immune System

Last but not the least; regular exercise helps in strengthening the immune system. Studies have proven that people who have a daily exercise routine have a lesser chance of being affected by common diseases or suffering from minor injuries. It decreases blood pressure, increases the production of insulin, reduces fat levels, and improves cardiovascular health. Regular exercise can help prevent diabetes, heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, and much more At HPFY, we care about you and believe in arming you with all the information needed to live a healthy, safe, and comfortable life. To your health!

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Taikhum Sadiq

Taikhum Sadiq has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2016.

He is an archaeology student and is passionate about learning about the past and how it impacts our future. He believes ...