We all know that exercise is good for us, but why is it so important?
Moving well (regularly, intentionally and mindfully) brings about an inherent set of physical, social and mental benefits that helps us feel and function at our best.
In this blog we explore the benefits that being physically active can bring.
Physical benefits of moving well
- Improves our functional health
In a nutshell, functional health is one’s ability to perform essential everyday activities. Good functional health makes it easier for us to complete day-to-day tasks and prevents us from experiencing falls and injuries.
- Strengthens our muscles and bones
Physical activity, particularly weight-bearing exercises, helps us build strong bones and muscles, which play an important role in protecting us against injury.
- Good for our heart
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. Movement helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing your risk of developing heart disease.
- Helps us maintain a healthy weight
By using excess calories that would otherwise be stored as fat, physical activity also keeps our body weight in a healthy place.
- Prevents the onset of certain diseases
Frequent exercise has been linked to reducing the onset of certain conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, hypertension and dementia.
- Better sleep
Moving well can also help you sleep well. Here’s how exercising in the day can improve your sleep at night.
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- It raises adenosine levels: Part of our central nervous system, adenosine is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle. It causes drowsiness, drops body temperature, and regulates our circadian rhythm.
- It increases the quality of our sleep: Exercise is linked to the amount of time our body spends in deep, slow-wave sleep, which is when our body repairs itself the most. Slow-wave sleep is vital for immune functions, muscle recovery, memory processing, and hormonal balance.
- It increases the duration of our sleep: Research shows that exercising consistently can increase our total average sleep time, helping us sleep for longer.
- It reduces stress: Stress can keep us up at night. Exercising helps eliminate stress by clearing our minds, helping us get to sleep faster instead of lying awake for a long time.
- Longevity
Research has shown that people who indulge in physical activity have fewer chances of early death, increasing their chances of living a longer life.
- Enhances our physical competence
Physical competence is our ability to develop movement skills and patterns, and the capacity to experience a variety of movement intensities and durations. The more we move, the more ways we can exercise and experience a spectrum of physical activities.
Social benefits of moving well
According to the World Health Organisation, the social benefits of physical activity include:
- Enhancing teamwork with peers, family, and community
- Promoting social interaction and contributing to social integration
- Facilitating societal growth by promoting economic development of family, community, and nations.
Physical activity is also an excellent vehicle for clearing your mind and being self-aware, and hence can be used as a tool to recognise how you can be a better listener and communicator. This, in turn, can improve your interactions and relationships with those around you.
Mental benefits of moving well
Moving well is just as good for the mind as it is for the body. According to the World Health Organisation, mental benefits of physical activity include:
- Improved mental function such as memory, learning, understanding, and concentration
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression
- Enhanced psychological wellbeing by lifting self-esteem, building confidence, and maintaining optimism
Conclusion
As you can see, moving well brings about an invaluable set of benefits that ultimately lead to living a healthier and happier life. That’s why movement matters!