You probably think of exercise as a necessary evil. It’s something that we have to do in order to stay healthy, but it’s not exactly fun. And when we’re feeling lazy or don’t have time, the last thing we want to do is go for a run or hit the gym.
But what if we told you that exercise could actually be enjoyable? What if we told you that there are benefits to exercise that goes beyond just staying fit and looking good? In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of exercise and how physiotherapy can help you get the most out of your workouts!
Exercise has been shown to have a number of benefits for both the body and mind. For starters, exercise can help improve your mood and reduce stress levels. It can also help improve sleep quality and fight off fatigue.
Exercise is also great for preventing chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
WHO Recommendation
According to the World Health Organisation, adults should exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. This can be done in bouts of ten minutes or more. You don’t have to go to the gym every day or run a marathon – just move. That could even be gardening or walking the dog.
Benefits Of Regular Exercise
There are countless benefits of regular exercise, such as:
- Lower risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.
- Increased life expectancy.
- Reduced stress and anxiety levels.
- Improved mental health, including reduced rates of depression and dementia.
- Better sleep quality.
- Weight control and prevention of obesity.
- Regulated blood sugar levels in people with diabetes or prediabetes.
- Stronger bones due to increased bone density (osteoporosis).
- Reduced inflammation.
- Improved joint mobility and reduced rates of arthritis.
- Reduced risk of some types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer.
- Increased physical strength, energy levels, and self-esteem.
- Reduced risk of falls.
- Reduced risk of fractures.
- Stronger immune system.
- Your body is better able to fight infection.
- Quicker recovery from sickness or injury.
- Better able to manage stress.
- Reduced risk of injury.
- It clears the mind.
- Improve concentration and memory.
- Aids in weight management.
- Improves mental and physical strength and endurance.
- It iIs a form of pain relief.
What Happens When You Start To Exercise Regularly?
When you start to exercise regularly, your body begins to change. The first you will probably notice is that you just feel better, you feel better in yourself. Your mood will improve. Depending on the intensity and your diet, you will likely lose weight as your metabolism begins to increase and you need more energy during the day. You may also see an increase in muscle mass as you begin to build strength.
Your resting heart rate will decrease and your blood pressure will drop as your heart becomes stronger. Over time, you may even see a decreased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
With exercise, your body simply works more efficiently, with more control, awareness, and strength.
How Long Will It Take To See Results From Regular Exercise?
It varies depending on the person. Some people will see results within weeks, while others may take several months. It is important to be patient and consistent with exercise in order to see long-term benefits.
You may have to be patient because it may take up to 5 weeks before you see real change. Before 5 weeks your nervous system is adapting and changing. But you won’t see changes until there are changes in fat percentage and muscle mass just which usually happens after 5 weeks.
Just like anything else in life, you get out what you put in. If you are committed to improving your health and wellbeing, then physiotherapy can help guide and support your journey to a better lifestyle!
Should You Exercise Every Day?
No – you do not have to exercise every day. In fact, it is recommended that you break up your workouts into several sessions throughout the week in order to allow your body time to rest and recover. Rest is so important if you want to see those results. Rest is important for recovery, for new muscle and collagen fibers, and to generate new blood vessels.
How Can Physiotherapy Help You Get The Most Out Of Your Workouts?
If you are new to exercise, our physiotherapists can help you create a safe and effective program that fits your needs and abilities. They can also provide advice on the best types of exercise for you, depending on your health goals.
If you are already active but want to improve your performance or reduce the risk of injury, our physiotherapists can help you with that too. They can assess your movement patterns, identify any muscle imbalances or weaknesses, and prescribe exercises to correct them.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort during or after exercise, our physiotherapists can help you find relief and get back to your routine as soon as possible.
Simply put, physiotherapy can help you get the most out of your workouts by ensuring that they are safe, effective, and tailored specifically for you.
References
[1] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/real-life-benefits-exercise-and-physical-activity
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
