8 Health Benefits of Daily Exercise

Exercise doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t have to be athletic to do it.  Just taking a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes each day can make you look and feel better.

Here are 8 Health Benefits of Daily Exercise .. and in just 30 minutes a day!

1. Manage Your Weight.

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits, you can benefit from just 30 minutes of exercise per day!

2. Reduce Your Blood Pressure.

Exercise can help you lower your blood pressure by as much as 5 to 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Combine exercise with a healthy diet and you can reduce it by even more!

3. Prevent or Manage Type 2 Diabetes.

Exercise is very important in managing type 2 diabetes. Combing diet and exercise can help control your weight and blood sugar level.  Exercise helps control type 2 diabetes by improving your body’s use of insulin and burns excess body fat  - decreased body fat results in improved insulin sensitivity.

4. Improve Your Cholesterol.

Regular exercise can help you reduce your triglycerides as well as raise your good cholesterol (HDL).

5. Prevent Cancer.

Exercise can reduce body fat, improve circulation, speed up digestion, and strengthen your immune system… all of which may help to prevent different types of cancer.

6. Prevent Osteoporosis.

Especially if you do weight-bearing exercise, you may lose less bone mass and may even increase your bone density with exercise.  Weight-bearing aerobic activities involve doing aerobic exercise on your feet, with your bones supporting your weight. Examples include walking, dancing, low-impact aerobics, elliptical training machines, stair climbing and gardening. These types of exercise work directly on the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine to slow mineral loss. They can also provide cardiovascular benefits, which boost heart and circulatory system health.

7. Increase Your Stamina and Energy.

Inactivity, not aging, often causes a lack of energy.  Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

8. Maintain mental well-being.

With just 30 minutes a day of exercise, you may improve your sleep, lower your stress levels, improve mild or moderate anxiety and depression, and boost your moods.  You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any health concerns.

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