January 17, 2014

Benefits of working out (FactFriday #2)

We all know that working out is good for you body and mind and that it gets you in shape. There are many more benefits of dedicating 30 minutes a day (at least) to doing some exercise and be active. I have listed below the top 5 benefits:

  1. Reduces stress levels. Exercise increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. So if you are having trouble at school or even at work, go for a run, do a 15-30 minute quick workout and feel yourself slowly relaxing.

  2. It makes you happy. As I said in another post, working out releases endorphins that help boost you happiness and also your self-confidence.
  3. Improves sleeping. Working out helps you fall and stay asleep more easily, and it increases the amount of time you spend in the deepest stage of sleep. It also improves the quality of your sleep by making the transitions between its cycles smoother and more regular.
  4. Slows the aging process! Regular exercise can actually make you more aerobically fit as you get older. Working out also improves skin and muscle tone, increases flexibility and reduces the risk of many age-related diseases, such as osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke.
  5. Improves digestion. The Gastroenterological Society of Australia found that exercise helps the intestinal muscles break down food and move it through your system correctly by strengthening the abdominal muscles and minimizing sluggishness.
Working out can be fun if done with a friend or even alone with some upbeat music blasting. Remember, you don't need to have expensive equipment or flashy gym clothes to get your daily exercise in. It is enough if you slap on a pair of old sneakers and walk to your local market, instead of taking the buss. Leave 30 minutes earlier and walk to college. It's the little things that count.

I do all of my workouts at home because I don't have a nice gym near me. As you can tell I concentrate on multipurpose exercises such as squats or planks. To stay motivated and to avoid dropping the workout midway through, I listen to music, usually dubstep. This is my favorite mix that I've been using since last summer. Hope you enjoy.




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