5 Reasons Movement is Medicine
It’s well know that exercise and moving regularly is great for weight loss, however now exercise is commonly referred to as medicine due to its positive effects on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Engaging in regular movement and physical activity has endless benefits to improve overall health and quality of life.
Are you finding it hard to get started here are 5 reasons to get moving!
1: Improved Physical Health
Regular exercise helps to maintain a healthy body weight, improve cardiovascular health, strengthens your muscles and improves bones health, helping to reduce joint pain and improving your overall fitness. Research has shown that regular exercise leads to a longer lifespan, reduces your risk of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease. Regular exercise also reduces your risk of cancer and cancer reoccurrence.
2: Improved Mental Health
Regular exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health. Developing a regular exercise routine can help to generate the release of natural mood improving endorphins, helping to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve cognitive function and also enhancing overall brain health.
3: Improved Sleep Patterns
Sleep is often overlooked for maintaining good health. A regular sleep routine plays an important role in emotional, physiological and cognitive processes.
A study found that regular physical activity and mind body exercise improves the quality of sleep. Exercise can also help regulate a regular sleep pattern leading to a more restorative restful sleep by regulating the body’s internal clock (the circadian rhythm).
Exposure to natural sunlight during the day can improve the body’s sleep-wake cycles making it easier to fall asleep at night and also wake up in the morning. Reducing stress through exercise can also help to improve sleep patterns.
4: Reduce Stress
Research suggests that increased levels of stress can lead to cardiovascular disease. The benefits of exercise in reducing stress are multifaceted, due to the psychological and physiological responses during and after exercise. Regular exercise can reduce stress by providing an outlet or distraction from sources of stress, promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones promoting a more balanced response to stressful situations. Engaging in movement whether it be a run or walk in nature, an online yoga class or body weight exercises at home, movement can promote relaxation and provide an escape from tension and create a sense of accomplishment.
5: Improved Energy Levels
When you’re feeling exhausted a workout is probably the last thing you feel like doing. However, one of the body’s first responses to exercise is improved circulation and delivering oxygen to the body’s tissues. A study found that an intervention of moderate intensity exercise over a period of 6 weeks is beneficial in significantly reducing feelings of fatigue and improving energy levels.
So next time you are feeling tired, sluggish or a bit stiff and sore, try a brisk walk in the park, a few laps of the stairs, or some squats and push ups. Choose something that elevates your heart rate 20-30 beats or choose a simple stretch routine to improve how you move.
The key is to find any physical activity that you enjoy and can maintain consistently in your daily routine.
About the author: Jo Francou is an Exercise Scientist and Polestar Pilates Instructor and former Australian lightweight rower. Jo has over 25 years experience in the health and fitness industry and loves to promote the benefits of regular exercise to improve health and wellbeing . Jo has a special interest working with women and youth athletes to transform their lives through developing healthy habits and well balanced exercise programs using mindfulness techniques, pilates and strength and conditioning.