The Importance of Daily Exercise on Your Longevity
Everyone knows that daily exercise is good for you. It makes you feel better, keeps off excess weight, enhances your immune system, alleviates stress and boosts your energy levels. What a lot of people don't realize, however, is that not only is daily exercise beneficial for your overall wellbeing, it can also make you live longer. As in years longer. In fact, according to recent studies, every minute that you exercise can lengthen your life by as many as seven minutes. That is an incredible advantage when you consider all you're being asked to do in return for the promise of an extended life is to enjoy a daily dose of fun.
Daily exercise not only leads to a longer life, but it also significantly enriches your quality of life both now and in the future. Your resting heart rate lowers, decreasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Your bones strengthen, which helps to ward off potential osteoporosis down the road. You gain muscle and lose fat, which makes you less apt to succumb to dangerous falls when you're older. And your energy increases, leading to a happier attitude, better sleep and higher cognitive abilities.
Even a moderate amount of exercise can add years to your life and it's never too late to start. Studies1 show that even if you wait until middle age to begin a fitness plan, every minute of exercise you add into your daily routine adds life expectancy. In fact, even if you're overweight, moderate exercise can add years to your life regardless of age, sex or health conditions.
Lengthening your life through exercise doesn't have to mean you have to force yourself to spend hours sweating on the treadmill at your local gym. Any form of exercise will do the trick, so think in terms of what you like to do not what you feel must be done. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, make an effort to take a brisk walk around the neighborhood when you get home from work. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, ride your bike to the grocery store, join an intermural volleyball team, play a few extra rounds of golf. If that sounds like too much work, it's okay to start slow: begin each morning with a series of stretching and balancing exercises, just to keep your blood pumping. You'll be surprised how soon your mind and body will crave more activity. To stay motivated and committed, download a fitness tracking device to your smartphone and follow online websites for daily health and fitness tips. No matter what you decide to do, just be sure to do something: every minute you spend being active will give you more years to lead the fuller life you deserve.
1"Every Minute Of Exercise Could Lengthen Your Life Seven Minutes. "CommonHealth RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2015; Healy, Melissa. "Study Finds Exercise Adds to Life Expectancy, Even for Obese." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 07 Nov. 2012. Web. 12 Jan. 2015; "Physical Activity Extends Life Expectancy." National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2015.
Turn information into inspiration for healthy living! Follow daily health and fitness tips online at: http://moveit4.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simone_Greggers
