Exercise is a great way to make you feel good and live longer. It can help you sleep better, boost your mood and improve your sex life. It can also prevent and manage chronic disease, reduce your risk of injury and provide other health benefits.
It can help you lose weight, gain strength and maintain an active lifestyle – even if you’re not currently at your target weight. It can ward off heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, and can lower your risk of certain cancers.
Your body will benefit from the right amount of exercise, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. The key is to incorporate a variety of exercises into your routine, and be consistent in your efforts.
You can get many of the health benefits of regular exercise by adding just 10 minutes of activity to your daily schedule. These short bursts of physical activity can boost your mood, improve brain function and strengthen bones.
If you can’t fit 45 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity into your day, try interval training, which alternates periods of higher-intensity work with periods of lower-intensity movement. Studies show that this type of workout can increase your heart rate and muscle mass, and it can help you burn more calories in less time than a long, slow workout.
It may also boost your mood by stimulating the production of feel-good hormones and releasing natural painkillers like endorphins. In addition, exercise has been shown to help fight depression and anxiety by improving your body’s ability to produce serotonin, the natural neurotransmitter that helps you feel happy and upbeat.
Another great way to boost your mood is to find ways to make exercise more fun. This can be as simple as incorporating music into your workout, or adding a new challenge to your routine.
Taking on new challenges or finding creative ways to exercise can also help you stay motivated and focused. It may also help you feel less drained and more satisfied after each session, which can keep you coming back for more.
You can get more energy from a range of exercise activities, including walking, dancing and lifting weights. This is because you burn more calories during these activities than when you engage in sedentary activities such as sitting.
In addition, your muscles, especially the muscles that support your heart, will have more energy, giving you more stamina and reducing your risk of cardiovascular problems.
Having more energy means you have more time to do things that you enjoy and improves your overall quality of life. It can also lead to better performance at work, school and in your relationships.
Your brain will also benefit from a regular exercise routine, as it can increase the size of your memory and improve your thinking skills. It can also help prevent mental decline and dementia, particularly in older adults.
It can help you feel more confident and give you the self-esteem you need to achieve your goals and pursue the activities you love most in life. It can also help you build a strong foundation for future success, by helping you develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.