Three Things That Happen When you Move Your Body Daily

Regular movement boosts mood and reduces stress, leading to a more positive outlook. Improved sleep quality follows, enhancing daily function. Physical activity strengthens muscles and bones, improving overall physical health and reducing injury risk. This contributes to increased energy levels. Increased metabolism and improved cardiovascular health are other significant benefits, impacting long-term well-being and disease prevention. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact.

So many people recognize the benefits of exercise and say they want to “work out” more often. They want to lose weight. Use that gym membership they’ve been paying for all this time. Maybe they are finally serious about training for that marathon or fun looking Mud Run they saw their girlfriends post about last year. So much possibility can also bring about so much overthinking. We may even get what clinicians call “paralysis by analysis”. Where do I begin? How do I train? What should my schedule be?

Just like any other overwhelming activity, daily exercise is no different. You just got to start! By decreasing expectations of yourself and committing to simply movement each day, you may surprise yourself at your capabilities. And before you know it, your drive for more challenging activity will increase. That’s right, you’ll want more! Let’s look at three things that happen when you engage in a simple exercise, just move your body, everyday:

Increased Energy

With regular exercise, your heart pumps more blood throughout your body, delivering more oxygen to your working muscles. Overtime, this makes your muscles work more efficiently, and puts less demand on your organs such as your heart and lungs. It will begin to require less energy to perform the same activities allowing you to challenge yourself more as you progress.

Better Brain Function and Memory

Just as daily movement will pump more blood to your cardiovascular organs, it will also promote oxygenated blood flow to your brain. It has also been known to stimulate the production of hormones that enhance the growth of brain cells. Studies have yielded that exercise has been shown to cause the hippocampus (vital for memory and learning) to increase in size. Exercise has also been shown to slow down changes in the brain that can lead to conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Improved Sleep Quality

Improved sleep quality is crucial; exercise regulates sleep cycles, promoting restorative rest. This leads to better cognitive function and enhanced memory consolidation, further boosting brain health. Consequently, consistent exercise contributes significantly to overall well-being, impacting both physical and mental health positively.