These 8 reasons to keep your body moving will inspire you to keep your body in motion. From skin health to longevity, the benefits are just endless.

You may have heard Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion before – a body in motion stays in motion. Though his law refers to general physics, there is something to be said about how it relates to our physical activity and health.

Maintaining Your Ideal Weight

It is no surprise that a more physically active lifestyle is vital in weight loss and weight maintenance goals. Just 150 minutes of physical activity per week, or about 30 minutes a day on most days of the week, can help prevent weight gain and improve health. From vigorous aerobic exercise to simple lifestyle changes such as brisk walking and increased daily steps. There are many weight loss and weight maintenance benefits to increasing physical activity. Most people who lose weight regain it all back within 3 to 5 years, but regular exercise makes it more likely that you’ll maintain your ideal weight.

Promotes Longevity and Overall Health

Perhaps one of the most sought-after benefits of exercise is longevity and healthy ageing. Even a minimum amount of exercise each day may not only lengthen your lifespan but may also reverse the physiological effects of ageing and improve the quality of your lifespan. This means enjoying more years of a healthy and active lifestyle.

A Stronger Immune System

Believe it or not, exercise not only makes your muscles stronger, but it could also make your immune system stronger. Research shows that moderate intensity exercise helps to reduce chronic inflammation that may be present in the body. Exercise is thought to decrease levels of chronic inflammation by activating the body’s antioxidant defences. It also promotes good sleep, which helps your immune system recover and lowers your stress levels, which helps to support a healthier immune system.

Improved Strength, Flexibility, and Bone Health

Ageing is often accompanied by decreased flexibility and muscle strength. Muscles start to lose their elasticity, becoming tighter and shorter. Adopting a daily stretching routine can benefit various physical aspects including better flexibility and improved functionality of daily living.  The mechanical properties of the muscle and flexibility, range of motion, and strength begin to increase with continued stretching and exercise. In addition, exercise may help build stronger bones by stimulating bone building and slowing bone loss, resulting in improved bone mass.

Sleep More Soundly

Good sleep is the foundation of good health. According to the National Institute of Health, getting enough quality sleep is essential to survival, just as food and water. One way to improve the quality of sleep is with exercise. Studies have found that 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day, well before bedtime, may improve your sleep. Promoting deeper sleep and longer total sleep time while also decreasing the number of times you wake at night.

Boosts Your Mood and Reduces Stress

Bad days are bound to happen, but don’t let them bring you down! One tried and true way to help relieve stress and improve your mood is by exercising. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are the feel-good molecules in the brain. Increasing endorphins in the brain through exercise has been associated with better stress management, improved mood, and a healthier general quality of life. Research has also shown that 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic activity promotes calmness that can remain for several hours after exercise.

Better Brain Health

Beyond its ability to improve mood and mental health, regular physical activity is linked to reduced signs of ageing in the brain. Its ability to increase neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine may explain the link between exercise and better cognitive function and improved learning capabilities. Research has shown that physically active adults are more likely to maintain a youthful level of cognitive function and memory than sedentary adults.

Healthier Looking Skin

A lesser-known fact about exercise is that it is a powerful tool for healthy skin. Some research suggests that exercise boosts levels of a molecule that helps to maintain healthier and more youthful skin. This molecule is involved in communication between the immune system and tissues throughout the body. With this discovery, it might just be time to make exercise part of your skincare routine.

Our bodies are complex systems balancing biology, chemistry, and physics. Making sure we fuel our bodies with proper nutrition is important in addition to staying active and in motion. Newton said it best, a body at rest wants to stay at rest. So, let’s get moving to a happier, healthier life!

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