The world has become progressively more digital since the advent of smartphones and social media. People now have access to information from every corner of the globe in an instant. The downside to this, however, is that we’ve been taught to always be on guard against digital deception, and so we’re not as willing to put our trust in the real world anymore. You don’t need to try to “make time” for exercise either. You must make exercise a priority. We’ll talk more about why and how below, but first, let’s discuss some of the benefits of regular physical activity.
It’s not just us who are disconnected from the real world either; our modern lifestyles have made it difficult for us to maintain a high level of physical activity. Even people who used to be avid exercisers struggle with staying active these days, given how easy it is to shrug off any effort or boredom when you’re sat indoors all day long with access to video games, Netflix and other leisure activities. If you’re concerned that your current exercise routine might need a boost, then read on…
What Is Exercise?
Exercise is any bodily activity that improves your physical fitness and health. There are three main forms of exercise: aerobic, strength and flexibility training. Aerobic exercise is any type of training that uses your heart and breathing to provide energy for muscles.
Strength training is any form of instruction intended to improve the strength and power of muscles through repetitive activity. Flexibility training is getting into positions that you otherwise are not flexible enough to get into, such as reaching up high enough to put a dish away.
Make Exercise A Priority
You don’t need to try to “make time” for exercise. You must make exercise a priority. We’ll talk more about why and how below, but first, let’s discuss some of the benefits of regular physical activity.
- Improved stress levels – Exercise is proven to reduce stress levels by releasing endorphins in the brain. This is because when you exercise, your muscles are being worked, which triggers the release of natural painkillers in your body.
- Improved mood – The same boost in endorphins that occurs when you exercise also increases your serotonin levels, which is what makes exercise a great treatment for anxiety and depression. People who exercise regularly have fewer mood swings, feel less stress and are less likely to suffer from depression than people who don’t exercise.
- Better health – Exercise improves your body’s immune system and insulin sensitivity. It also reduces blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels, which are all factors that increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
- Better sleep – The more fit you are, the better you sleep. Regular exercise, combined with a healthy diet, increases the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep patterns.
Know When To Exercise
You must know when to exercise. Several factors determine if you should exercise or not, including your current physical fitness and health, your schedule and your daily schedule.
- Your current physical fitness and health: You should start exercising if you are not currently active. Even if you exercise regularly, you should start from scratch if you are less fit than you were in your teenage years.
- Your schedule: You should exercise if you can do so during your free time. You must remember that exercise is supposed to be fun, so you don’t want to be forced to do it.
- Your daily schedule: Depending on your schedule, you may only have a couple of hours at the end of the day free to exercise. It’s important to remember that exercise is supposed to be fun and should not be scheduled around your work schedule.
Breathe Before You Exercise
Before you get started on any exercise program, you should take some time to focus on your breathing. This is called “breathing retraining”, and it’s a technique used by many exercise specialists to get people to focus on breathing during exercise. Your breathing is important while you exercise because your muscles work harder when they’re breathing faster.
This causes them to produce more energy, and so you’re training your body to function at a higher level. Try to focus on your breathing as much as possible while you exercise. The best way to do this is by breathing quietly and slowly, in through your nose and out through your mouth.
You can also try breathing in a pattern that looks like a wave as you focus on your breathing. This will be a little more challenging than simply breathing normally, but it’s an important part of any exercise program.
Don’t Be Afraid To Push Yourself
There’s something to be said for the concept of “no pain, no gain”. This is an adage that implies that if you do any exercise without pain, you’re doing it wrong. But exercise isn’t about running a 5K race, it’s about getting yourself moving and challenging your muscles in a way that causes them to grow and develop.
The only way to know if you’ve pushed yourself hard enough is to keep pushing yourself, even if it hurts a little bit. It may be uncomfortable, but staying active and challenging your muscles is important for their long-term growth.
Conclusion
If you’re concerned that your current exercise routine might need a boost, then read on… Regular physical activity is essential for your health, no matter what your age. Regular exercise helps to improve your mood, stress levels, energy levels and sleep quality, as well as reducing the risk of developing many diseases and conditions.
You don’t need to try to “make time” for exercise either. You must make exercise a priority. We’ll talk more about why and how below, but first, let’s discuss some of the benefits of regular physical activity.