The Benefits of Exercise for Overall Health
During this time, many of us are quarantined at home. Some of us are feeling isolated, others depressed, and some even fearful. Truthfully, these are very justified feelings – as we are facing some very challenging times. However, there is one simple action that can help you combat all of these feelings while simultaneously promoting greater health and mobility. Exercising several times a week is one of the best lifestyle choices you can make. Today, we’re going to break down the top benefits of exercise for both mental and physical health:
Advocating for More Activity
While we are currently being asked to stay inside – there are exceptions for people getting out of their homes to participate in light exercise close to home. This most likely stems from the undeniable benefits of exercise. They include:
Mood Enhancement
Exercise is capable of enhancing our mood. This is made possible by exercise’s ability to increase our serotonin levels. Serotonin is responsible for regulating your mood, sleep, and appetite. Do you find yourself eating more while you’re stuck indoors? Perhaps you’re experiencing a dip in serotonin!
When exercising outside, the benefits are also two-fold. Being outside exposes you to sunlight, which helps your body produce Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining our overall health by; mineralizing bones, facilitating wound healing, and more. However, it’s important to also note that our brains are replete with Vitamin D receptors. Vitamin D also enhances our mood and energy levels. Conversely, a lack thereof hinders your mood and overall health.
Exercise is an Effective Immune Booster
Exercise acts as an immune booster in many ways. The perspiration brought about by exercising helps us flush out toxins that may otherwise stress our organs and leave us susceptible to infection. Additionally, exercise enhances immunosurveillance – which is your body’s detection mechanism for cancer and pathogens. Exercise speeds this process up, which may be useful in keeping you healthy and activating immune responses earlier.
Cognitive Enhancement
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, exercise is capable of enhancing cognition. When we exercise, we stimulate our bodies to release proteins and other chemicals that improve the structure and function of your brain. Many people report ‘thinking more clearly’ after a good work out – it’s possible that the two are closely related.
Stronger Muscles & Bones
Exercise causes physiological adaptations that help us both in the short term and for the long haul. After performing resistance training, our bodies start the rebuilding process by assimilating more proteins to rebuild the damaged soft tissues in the muscles. This causes the muscles to grow larger and stronger over time. Your bones react very similarly to resistance training as well. Exercise causes the bones to retain more minerals – which helps keep your bones strong and healthy while preventing osteoporosis.
Strengthening the muscles of the thighs and utilizing proper lifting form also helps to reduce your chances of disc herniations and other back injuries. If you currently are suffering from a disc herniation, it’s not too late. Spinal decompression therapy offers a non-invasive treatment approach that can help.
Are You Wanting to Experience the Benefits of Exercise But Are Held Back By Injuries and/or Aches and Pains? West Texas Neck & Back Can Help!
We understand that many individuals are looking to return to their normal exercise routine, but they’re hindered by nagging aches and pains. Right now, it’s more important than ever to focus on your health and wellness and become active again.
At West Texas Neck & Back, we’re all about keeping our patients active, healthy, and pain-free. Utilizing safe and effective treatments, such as Spinal Decompression, and Active Release Technique (ART), we’re capable of correcting postural/spinal issues and restoring our patient’s normal joint function. Ultimately, this helps them return to reduce their pain and return to normal activity levels.
West Texas Neck & Back offers a different approach to healing. Before contemplating invasive back surgery or succumbing to long-term pain medications – call our practice. Our treatments are non-invasive, and designed to get you back in motion as soon as possible.
Daily activity and exercise is an integral portion of staying healthy and fit. The mental and physical benefits of exercise are just too much to ignore. However, some of us are dealing with debilitating injuries that are keeping us from exercising. If this sounds all too familiar to you, we urge you to contact West Texas Neck & Back today and begin your journey back to an active, healthy lifestyle.