{"categories":"Lifestyle,Fitness,Person Group Concept,Person Group Concept,Theme of Focus","keywords":"Fitness,Fitness basics,Fitness basics,Age Concept,Adult,19 to 44 younger,Age Concept,Adult,45 to 64 middle,Clinical Focus Value Set,Home Treatment","abstract":"\u003cp\u003eImprove your heart health, mood, stamina and more with regular physical activity.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity","body":"\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eWant to feel better, have more energy and even add years to your life? Just exercise.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of age, sex or physical ability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeed more convincing to get moving? Check out these seven ways exercise can lead to a happier, healthier you.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e1. Exercise controls weight\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eExercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegular trips to the gym are great, but don't worry if you can't find a large chunk of time to exercise every day. Any amount of activity is better than none at all. To reap the benefits of exercise, just get more active throughout your day \u0026mdash; take the stairs instead of the elevator or rev up your household chores. Consistency is key.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight is, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the \"good\" cholesterol, and it decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegular exercise helps prevent or manage many health problems and concerns, including:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eStroke\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMetabolic syndrome\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eHigh blood pressure\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eType 2 diabetes\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eDepression\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eAnxiety\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMany types of cancer\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eArthritis\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFalls\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt can also help improve cognitive function and helps lower the risk of death from all causes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e3. Exercise improves mood\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeed an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A gym session or brisk walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e4. Exercise boosts energy\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eWinded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e5. Exercise promotes better sleep\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eStruggling to snooze? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to go to sleep.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e6. Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can improve energy levels and increase your confidence about your physical appearance, which may boost your sex life.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut there's even more to it than that. Regular physical activity may enhance arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003e7. Exercise can be fun … and social!\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eExercise and physical activity can be enjoyable. They give you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. Bored? Try something new, or do something with friends or family.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='section'\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHead'\u003eThe bottom line on exercise\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class='SectionHTML'\u003e\u003cp\u003eExercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better, boost your health and have fun. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eAt least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. The guidelines suggest that you spread this exercise throughout the week. Examples include running, walking or swimming. Even small amounts of physical activity are helpful, and accumulated activity throughout the day adds up to provide health benefits.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eStrength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. Examples include lifting free weights, using weight machines or doing body-weight training.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpread your activities throughout the week. If you want to lose weight, meet specific fitness goals or get even more benefits, you may need to ramp up your moderate aerobic activity to 300 minutes or more a week.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any concerns about your fitness, haven't exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e","doc_id":"ART-20048389","object_id":"e84ae07d-03cc-4d72-b220-e12bfb69c631","updated_at":"2019-05-11","meta_keywords":"","benefit_summary":"\u003cp\u003eYou know exercise is good for you, but do you know how good? From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.\u003c/p\u003e","sections":{"":"\u003cp\u003eWant to feel better, have more energy and even add years to your life? Just exercise.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of age, sex or physical ability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeed more convincing to get moving? Check out these seven ways exercise can lead to a happier, healthier you.\u003c/p\u003e","1. Exercise controls weight":"\u003cp\u003eExercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegular trips to the gym are great, but don't worry if you can't find a large chunk of time to exercise every day. Any amount of activity is better than none at all. To reap the benefits of exercise, just get more active throughout your day \u0026mdash; take the stairs instead of the elevator or rev up your household chores. Consistency is key.\u003c/p\u003e","2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases":"\u003cp\u003eWorried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight is, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the \"good\" cholesterol, and it decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegular exercise helps prevent or manage many health problems and concerns, including:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eStroke\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMetabolic syndrome\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eHigh blood pressure\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eType 2 diabetes\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eDepression\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eAnxiety\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMany types of cancer\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eArthritis\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFalls\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt can also help improve cognitive function and helps lower the risk of death from all causes.\u003c/p\u003e","3. Exercise improves mood":"\u003cp\u003eNeed an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A gym session or brisk walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.\u003c/p\u003e","4. Exercise boosts energy":"\u003cp\u003eWinded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.\u003c/p\u003e","5. Exercise promotes better sleep":"\u003cp\u003eStruggling to snooze? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to go to sleep.\u003c/p\u003e","6. Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life":"\u003cp\u003eDo you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can improve energy levels and increase your confidence about your physical appearance, which may boost your sex life.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut there's even more to it than that. Regular physical activity may enhance arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.\u003c/p\u003e","7. Exercise can be fun … and social!":"\u003cp\u003eExercise and physical activity can be enjoyable. They give you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. Bored? Try something new, or do something with friends or family.\u003c/p\u003e","The bottom line on exercise":"\u003cp\u003eExercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better, boost your health and have fun. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eAt least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. The guidelines suggest that you spread this exercise throughout the week. Examples include running, walking or swimming. Even small amounts of physical activity are helpful, and accumulated activity throughout the day adds up to provide health benefits.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eStrength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. Examples include lifting free weights, using weight machines or doing body-weight training.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpread your activities throughout the week. If you want to lose weight, meet specific fitness goals or get even more benefits, you may need to ramp up your moderate aerobic activity to 300 minutes or more a week.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any concerns about your fitness, haven't exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis.\u003c/p\u003e"},"has_flash":false,"flash_content_url":null,"flash_content_height":null,"flash_content_width":null}