Wellness Wednesday: Clinical Benefits of Exercise

Kinetiq Health has started a new series called, Better Health in 90, to bring you health tips in 90 seconds or less from our expert clinical team.

This month we’re focusing on physical activity. From exercise best practices to motivation tips, Apex Benefits’ fitness instructors will share expert advice for all your physical health needs. In this video, Kinetiq Health Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer Jessica Lenahan explains the clinical benefits of routine physical activity.

Read on for more information!

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Most people know of all the great benefits physical activity has on our bodies such as strengthening muscles and bones.

But did you know it can also have a huge impact on our mental, emotional and internal physical health?

Routine exercise has a positive effect on our heart, brain function, mood, and more. Here are a few clinical benefits of exercise and how they affect our health:

• Heart function – The cardiac muscle is the hardest working muscle in the body. We all know that the more we exercise, the stronger the muscles in our body get. If you work out your bicep, for example, your bicep over time will grow leaner and stronger. The heart is also a muscle so when we engage in routine physical activity, our heart gets stronger and becomes more efficient at doing its daily job, such as regulating blood pressure and cholesterol for example, which in turn lessens our risk of heart disease.
• Stress Relief – Along with your heart, aerobic exercise is key for your head too. Routine physical activity is proven to decrease depression and anxiety. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.
• Mood Booster – Exercise also releases endorphins, the chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. Endorphins are responsible for the “runner’s high” and for the feelings of relaxation and optimism that you feel when you’re working hard.

To reap the benefits associated with physical activity, aim to get in the recommended amount of exercise for your age but remember, some is better than none. If you’re able to make physical activity a routine part of your life, you will feel better, prevent, or better manage diseases, and likely even live longer!

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