Why is physical exercise important for a healthy mind and body?

Physical fitness through exercise is one of the most common pieces of advice given by physicians across the planet.

There are many benefits to exercising when done properly. Some of the most common include improved blood flow, general body fitness, weight loss and stress relief. Here are some direct benefits of physical exercise to the mind and body.

1- Boost Memory: Studies on the hippocampus among children, adults and the elderly have shown an increase in brain structure after aerobic exercise. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that holds memory, and is therefore important for the ability to learn.

2- Improve concentration: Exercise improves the ability to focus on a task, ignore distractions, and also capture and manipulate information. Aerobic exercises improve retention among students, and are therefore important for children, adults, and even the elderly.

3- Improving Mental Health: Physical exercise is a great mood enhancer. The euphoria experienced after exercise is real and should be used as an alternative stress reliever. A 2010 study conducted for eight weeks found a significant reduction in the amygdala after yoga and meditation. The amygdala is the part of the brain that is implicated in processing stress, fear and anxiety.

4- Slowing down cognitive decline: Physical exercise delays the onset of mental breakdown and dementia, especially in the elderly. It pays to exercise early in life to avoid the mental illnesses that come with old age. A study published in Neurology suggested that women who were physically fit in their Middle Ages were 88% less likely to develop dementia than their peers who were only moderately fit.

5- Physical health and weight loss: A study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism showed that an active exercise training program was ideal for reducing weight and improving physical fitness in obese children. Effects were possible even without changes in dietary composition.

6- Defense of the body against age-related decline: A study published in the Journal of Aging Research suggests that physical activity that is sustained throughout life is associated with a lower risk of developing chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and coronary heart disease associated with chronic aging.

7- Improve heart and lung health: When done regularly, physical activity, both moderate and intense, lowers the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Regular exercise strengthens the heart muscles and their ability to pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The lungs automatically pick up speed and therefore get stronger to keep up with the exercise.

8- Increases lean mass and strength: Both high-frequency training and low-frequency training contribute to improvements in lean mass and strength in men and women. Strength training also helps alter metabolism, increases **** density, reduces the risk of injury, and even rebuilds lost muscle. Building muscle is necessary to prevent the resting metabolic rate that causes obesity.

9- Improved Cholesterol Level: Regular physical activity and exercise are effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels and thus prevent the onset of coronary heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. Physicians may recommend aerobic training or resistance training to achieve healthy cholesterol levels.

10- Prevention and Management of Diabetes: Regular exercise can help reduce or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by 60%. Daily physical activity, aerobic exercise or resistance training prevents a buildup of sugar in the blood. Insulin sensitivity is increased, and the body can take up glucose during and after activity. Any form of physical activity that helps the body burn calories, e.g. Walking, cleaning, mowing the lawn are beneficial and should be included in the daily routine.