September 2021: Benefits of Exercise on National Women’s Health Day, 9/29/21

Research suggests that 60% of women do not get the recommended two and a half hours of exercise a week!  There are many benefits to exercise other than just losing weight! Let’s look at some of the less commonly recognized benefits of exercise:

1. Emotional Benefits It’s no secret that completing a goal or staying true to a resolution gives us a serious confidence boost, and smashing a workout is no different. Working out can boost happiness, self-esteem and self-confidence.
2. Stress Relief Benefits   Exercise reduces stress hormones and stimulates production of endorphins, which together help foster relaxation.  Exercise can also help you sleep better witch can also help lower stress levels.
3. Memory and Brain Power Benefits According to Harvard Medical School exercise can boost your memory and thinking skills.  Exercise acts directly on the brain itself. Many studies have suggested that the parts of the brain that control thinking, and memory are larger in volume in people who exercise than in people who don’t. Exercise can also boost memory and thinking indirectly by improving mood and sleep, and by reducing stress and anxiety.
4. Skin Benefits Exercising increases blood flow to the skin, which helps to feed it vital nutrients, hormones and oxygen. This can give the skin, especially our face, a healthy glow and plumper look.  Increased blood circulation also promotes healthy cell turnover, and can help remove the stuff our skin doesn’t need.  Think of it as cleansing your skin from the inside.

Even with all of these benefits finding time to exercise can sometimes be tricky with our busy lifestyles.  One of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your routine is to make everyday activities more active. Even small changes can help. For example, you can take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk down the hall to a coworker’s office instead of sending an email, wash the car yourself or park further away from your destination.  With a little effort, you can enjoy all the benefits of exercise and make it part of your healthy lifestyle.

References

8 Benefits Of Exercise That Might Surprise You. (2020, August 26). Retrieved from Sweat : https://www.sweat.com/blogs/fitness/exercise-benefits

Benefits of Exercise. (2021, August 27). Retrieved from MedlinePlus: https://medlineplus.gov/benefitsofexercise.html

Facts About Women’s Wellness-Exercise. (n.d.). Retrieved from Illinois Department of Public Heath : http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/exer.htm

Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. (2021, August 25). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/women.htm