Exercise is for more than just weight loss. From your nose to your toes, working out has many total-body benefits, both inside and out.

If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you know that exercise should be an essential part of your routine. But the benefits of physical activity go far beyond just physical fitness. Increasingly, more and more research show that working out regularly can boost other aspects of your health as well, including cognitive function and emotional well-being.

So, what are some benefits of regular exercising? Check them out below!

1. Exercise Helps Our Muscles Age Well

When people enter their golden forties and fifties, muscle mass starts to decline because of aging and, in some cases, leads to decreased activity levels. Muscular atrophy can also occur because of health conditions, such as joint pain. Hence as we age, it’s important to increase or maintain muscle mass through strength training, not only because it helps burn calories, but also because muscle mass is essential for strength and balance. After a vigorous workout or a long, hard day, reach for Sunbreeze^® oil for instant relief. The natural oils in Sunbreeze^® quickly penetrate the skin to help ease pain in overworked muscles and soothe stiff, aching joints.

2. Reduce Stress

Having a rough day? Feeling anxious, irritable, or having trouble concentrating? Chill out by taking a walk or heading to the gym for a quick workout. One of the most common mental benefits of exercise is stress relief. Breaking out a sweat increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate your brain’s response to stress. Get sweaty with your favourite physical activities — it can reduce stress and boost your body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension. Win-win!

3. Cardio Exercise Boosts Brain Power

Brawn and brains are not mutually exclusive. Studies have shown that cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells and improve overall brain performance. Even one 30-minute cardio session pumps extra blood to your brain, delivering the oxygen and nutrients it needs to perform at max efficiency. Cardio exercise also floods the brain with chemicals that enhance functions such as memory, problem solving, and decision making.

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4. Keeps Your Heart, Lungs and Bones Healthy

Physical activity improves blood circulation to your heart, lungs and blood vessels. Your heart muscles will be strengthened, and we will find ourselves with increased energy levels to do things we enjoy instead of feeling tired easily. Additionally, regular physical activity keeps your bones and muscles strong. Activities such as resistance training work on the major muscle groups in your body, making them stronger and more resilient. Regular activities with weight-bearing nature e.g. walking and jogging also increase bone density which can help prevent and reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

5. Improve Self-Confidence

Regular exercise often leads to an improved body image. Regular exercise, with an emphasis on aerobic exercise, can have a positive effect on self-esteem — especially for those who suffer from low self-esteem. Regular exercise helps build confidence by improving our body image. You’re likely to strengthen and tone your body through regular exercising, and seeing these results can greatly improve your self-esteem and help you feel better about the way you look! When you feel better physically, you will be more interested in meeting new people, exploring new places and you have more energy to take on challenges and overcome obstacles!