It's no secret exercise is good for you. But exercise can do more than just help you lose weight.
There are many benefits to exercise, both physically and mentally. It can be a challenge (logistically and mentally) to get your body moving during quarantine, but here are some reasons to help remind you of the power of exercise. If you're looking for an at-home fitness guide, you can check ours out here.
7 reasons why exercise is good for you
1. Exercise improves your mood.
Exercise isn't all about losing weight! Moving your body can have a big impact on how you feel emotionally. Working out stimulates your brain chemicals and releases endorphins, which are feel good chemicals. So if you're not feeling so great emotionally, a good fitness session could help boost your mood. This can be especially beneficial if you struggle with depression, anxiety, or stress. And, as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine, it's important to take care of your mental health.
2. You'll get better sleep.
Moving your body can help you get a better night's sleep, and fall asleep faster. However, be careful about working out later in the evening, as it can energize you and keep you awake.
3. Exercise helps manage chronic and acute illness
Regular exercise can help you manage, and even improve, any long- or short-term illnesses and conditions you may have. But, always talk to your doctor about exercise if you have a medical condition. Here are some conditions that exercise can help with:
- Stroke
- Metabolic syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Many types of cancer
- Arthritis
- Falls
4. You can lose weight.
This is one of the most well-known benefits of exercising. Moving your body can help with weight loss and weight management. However, losing weight doesn't always have to be the primary reason for working out.
5. Improves your breathing.
Exercising can help strengthen your lung muscles and make it easier for you to breathe. By strengthening your lungs, you're able to inhale more oxygen. And, exercise also improves the efficiency in which oxygen reaches the cells of your body, and can improve your overall workout.
6. You'll have more energy.
By regularly exercising, your body will begin to work more efficiently. You'll also have more oxygen reaching your cells, and will give you the feeling of having more energy.
7. Boosts your memory.
Along with boosting your mood, exercise can also improve your memory and cognitive abilities. Studies show that exercise can help your neurons (the cells in your brain) stay in shape and functioning properly, especially the memory part of your brain.
How Apicha CHC can help you
For Apicha CHC’s primary care clinic patients, we provide individualized nutrition plans for people living with HIV, diabetes, pre-diabetes, hyperlipedemia, sports nutrition, dietary supplement evaluation, weight management, and people in the process of cross-gender hormone therapy.
It may be in your best interest to consult with a registered dietician that is culturally sensitive to your needs, and can help you with customized recommendations based on an assessment of your nutritional goals and needs. You can ask your Apicha primary care provider to schedule a one-on-one individual nutrition counseling to discuss your goals and customize a plan for you. For more information, click here.
