Do you exercise?

Story by  Eman Sakina | Posted by  Aasha Khosa | Date 28-07-2022
Muslim women doing Yoga
Muslim women doing Yoga

 

Eman Sakina

Exercise is any movement that works your body at a greater intensity than your usual level of daily activity. It raises your heart rate and works your muscles and is most commonly undertaken to achieve the aim of physical fitness. What would be a suitable exercise for one person may be too much or too little for another.

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For example, if the most energetic part of your average day is walking to pick up your children from school, then walking at a quicker pace would be a good form of exercise for your body. However, a 10-mile run would be too much of a challenge too soon.

So…feeling Cranky? Get moving. Exercise makes you feel happier. When you work out, your body makes endorphins -- "feel-good" chemicals in the brain. You can start to feel better within a few minutes of moving. But the effects of regular exercise can last for a long time.

Using energy to work out provides you more vigour than you might anticipate. The last thing you want to do when you're exhausted is move. But when you work out frequently, the lethargy disappears, and you feel much more energized.

Get regular exercise to help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. The harder you exercise, the more likely you are to have a good night's sleep. It doesn't matter when you exercise, as long as you don’t have trouble sleeping. If you do have problems, though, work out earlier in the day. You just finished your first 5K run or mile stroll. Success like that can increase your self-confidence and prepare you to face any challenge. You feel good about yourself after working out.

Exercise calms your body and your brain. After your body works hard, the levels of stress hormones -- like adrenaline and cortisol -- drop. Stress and anxiety fade away, especially after aerobic exercise and you feel rejuvenated.

Want to be more efficient at work? Take a break and get some exercise. In one study, people who got moving in the middle of the day were much more productive when they went back to work. They also were happier and got along better with their co-workers.

Exercise and diet work together to keep your weight healthy. Whether you want to lose some inches around the waist or just avoid putting on extra pounds, exercise is the key. Try to work out for 30 minutes most days of the week.

Regular exercise can add years to your life. And that counts even if you're not a hard-core fitness buff. Just get moving. Even a little exercise can help you live longer than not exercising at all. The American Heart Association says that people who maintain a healthy weight and are physically active live an average of 7 years longer than those who don’t.

When you exercise, your bones and muscles get stronger. Exercise that involves lifting weights, playing tennis, walking, or dancing is extremely vital. As you age, this can aid in bone development. Additionally, it can safeguard your balance and coordination and assist prevent osteoporosis. It's no secret that exercise is great for your heart. Regular workouts lower your risk of heart disease, improve your blood cholesterol levels, and help control and even prevent high blood pressure.

Regular exercise can cut your risk of some cancers, including colon, breast, and lung. And people who have cancer have a better quality of life when they exercise.

If you have arthritis, regular exercise can help ease your pain. And it can make your daily activities easier. Try non-impact exercises like swimming. They can be easier on sore joints.

A fun family workout is good for your body and spirit. Even if you only do a little work, 30 minutes of playtime burns 120 calories if you weigh 125 pounds and 178 calories if you weigh 200 pounds.

How do you know if your chores are giving you a workout? Burn more calories by doing any activity at a pace quick enough to get your heart pumping and make you breathe harder. Do your activity for at least 10 minutes straight as well. Play upbeat music to raise your pace and stamina while you clean up or do yard work.

Even standing more instead of sitting all day will increase your NEAT levels. Walk short distances whenever you can to add steps to your daily count and burn a few calories. If you take the bus, get off a few stops early and walk the rest of the way. Little movements can add up to neater overall.