Importance of Exercise
The importance of exercise especially in our current pandemic is more important now then ever. Most of us have been trapped at home working, or worse yet laid off for almost an entire year now! That’s a long time, and I am sure we are all starting to get accommodated to this new way of life. Spending so much time at home is causing us to live a sedentary lifestyle day in and day out. This can cause long term health problems beyond what we are even experiencing now.
What exactly is a sedentary lifestyle you might ask? Well, according to Wikipedia, “a sedentary lifestyle is a type of lifestyle involving little or no physical activity. A person living a sedentary lifestyle is often sitting or lying down while engaged in an activity like reading, socializing, watching television, playing video games, or using a mobile phone / computer for much of the day. ” I don’t know about you, but this sounds to me exactly what so many of us have been forced into for the past year. To read more about this lifestyle and it’s effects on the body, check out my older article on the Periodical called “Sedentary Lifestyle”.
Exercise can change all of this! It can get us off of our couches, desk chairs, and beds and get us moving to better health. I like to look at the importance of exercise as an absolutely necessary practice to have to even live a healthy life. The benefits are a list longer then I could even make this article but let’s just touch on some important ones!
Managing a Healthy Weight
Eating well and exercising are going to give you the most important thing for good health, and that is managing a healthy weight. I don’t say this just because of appearance. It’s more importantly because your weight can be the difference between having heart disease, high blood pressure, joint problems, and so much more. If you are able to keep a healthy weight, you can bypass a multitude of negative health issues.
Combats Stress & Anxiety
The title says it all. Exercise releases endorphins and other chemicals in the body that allow you to release stress and boost mood. If you suffer from anxiety, try out some online yoga classes to relax nerves and focus on breathing techniques. Check out this simple mindful flow routine that gets you moving, and calms you when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Boosts Energy Levels
I used to always be skeptical about exercise giving you more energy. However, when I started getting myself on an actual routine I realized that I slept better at night, and woke up feeling less groggy. When you get your heart rate to rise it gets blood pumping, and endorphins moving, all while improving cardiovascular health. The healthier your heart is the more your body can handle throughout the day, keeping energy up !
Don’t Give Up!
We are all in this together, the importance of exercise is real! Give yourself a goal to exercise at least 10-15 minutes a day at the least. If you are homeschooling your kids, be sure to give them an “at home recess.” You could even go out and run around with them or play ball.
Find an exercise routine that you enjoy, that gets you excited and looking forward to each day! Let’s love ourselves and stay healthy for all the days ahead!
Come Hula Hoop with me! Head over to the Periodical’s Fitness page to get fun, creative, and feel good hula hoop workouts for beginner’s! Hooping is a great holistic workout giving the body, mind and soul the movement it needs!
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