An active lifestyle – 10 benefits of physical activity

Physical activity is essential for the health of the body and mind.

An active lifestyle has positive effects on your physical and mental well-being. You don’t have to push yourself to your physical limit: just schedule time for exercise regularly and commit to it.

To make it easier for you to turn exercising into a routine, here are 10 benefits of an active lifestyle.

Physical activity: 10 benefits for a better lifestyle

1. Reduce health risks

An active lifestyle can help reduce the risk of certain diseases like diabetes or heart and circulatory problems.

2. Is good for the brain

Psychiatrists and psychologists have long advised people to exercise to prevent and treat depression. Physical activity has a positive effect on the brain as it releases hormones that activate the growth of brain cells. It also optimises blood flow to the brain. As more oxygen reaches the brain, the hippocampus increases memory capacity. Exercise also slows down brain aging reducing the risk of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and mental disorders.

3. Helps to achieve a constant feel-good weight

No healthy weight loss is possible without exercise: this is what experts say. As part of everyday life, physical activity makes it easier to reduce body weight and maintain your desired weight. This is not only due to increased calorie consumption but also to a more active metabolism. Goodbye, yo-yo effect!

4. Keeps bones and muscles healthy

With regular training, you strengthen your muscles and bones. An active musculoskeletal system with healthy muscles, tendons, and fasciae improve your balance giving your body stability and reducing the tendency to get injured. With stronger muscles, practicing activities like climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping bags, and playing with your children becomes easier. Don’t be afraid that actively building muscles will soon make you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime: it won’t. The physique of a bodybuilder requires much more than just regular strength training!

5. It reduces (some) physical pain

Chronic back pain can be reduced through targeted physical exercise.

Consult a physiotherapist to receive a list of the correct exercises to practice at home or outdoors. The training mustn’t exacerbate the pain: discuss the type of movement with an expert.

6. Increases performance

An active lifestyle gives you energy. It fights fatigue and boosts energy improving your ability to concentrate, allowing you to perform better and feel happier.

7. Puts a smile on your face

Physical activity not only gives you a boost of energy but also improves your mood. When you exercise, your body releases more endorphins, creating positive feelings, and helping to combat anxiety.

8. Keeps the skin young

Although natural skin ageing cannot be stopped completely, it can be slowed down. Exercising makes the skin look younger and fresher and activates the production of antioxidants protecting against skin cell damage. Exercise also stimulates blood circulation: your skin is healthier without cosmetics or plastic surgery.

9. Improves sleep quality

Sleep disorders bother many people impacting life quality. Exercise is a proven remedy for insomnia and promotes continuous, healthy sleep, with positive effects on the body and mind.

10. Increases sexual desire

Regular exercise has a direct effect on the libido. Exercise promotes flexibility and blood circulation and helps desire and sexual performance. Urologists recommend exercising elderly men to alleviate the signs of erectile dysfunction.

If you want to live a healthy and happy life, you can’t miss out on the physical activity. Make time for a few hours of exercise every week. Whether it’s Zumba, cycling, or football if it’s active and fun is good for your health!

If you rarely find time to exercise during your day, try to include some movement into your daily routine. Take the stairs instead of the lift, cycle all shorter distances, and do morning and evening exercises for 15 minutes each. You can always find a way to be active. You just have to want it!

Your Humanoo Team