The 5 Surprising Benefits of Exercise

 Compelling evidence shows that it’s important to exercise and stay active, no matter our age.

One of America’s top biomedical labs recently stated: “There is no pill that comes close to what exercise can do…And if there was one, it would be extremely expensive”

So to celebrate just how great exercise can be, Goodnick presents the ultimate list of wonderful things it can do for our bodies.

1. It keeps your brain sharp

Exercise is known to help improve memory, increase mental capacity and leads to quicker learning.

Scientists also believe that it’s the best way to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Why? Well, they’re still researching that part. But they think it’s because exercise improves blood flow to the brain, which helps the growth of new blood vessels and even new brain cells.

2. You age slower

Exercises such as Goodnick programmes not only help you age smarter, but you age slower as well.

Some studies indicate that regular, moderate exercise has been shown to increase lifespan by up to five years.

Exercise increases levels of a molecule that protects our cells from breaking down, so if our cells break down slower, it means we age slower as well.

3. You feel happier

Many studies show that all types of exercise, from walking to cycling, make people feel better and can even relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

This is because exercise releases special chemicals in our brain— dopamine, serotonin and endorphins —that reduce pain, lighten mood and relieve stress.

Now, doctors are exploring options of prescribing exercise to their patients instead of anti-depressants, for a more holistic approach to feeling great.

4. You heal faster

Aerobic exercise revs up blood flow to the skin, delivering oxygen and nutrients that improve skin health.

So if you pick up a bruise or a cut, try to get moving as quickly as possible. This brings greater blood flow to the injured area and helps it to heal faster.

If you are recovering from an illness or injury. Gentle, appropriate exercise may also help you recover faster than lying in bed.

Big health & safety warning here though…only do this for a minor surface injury. No walking on broken legs or sprained ankles please! If in doubt, get professional medical advice.

5. Fat cells will shrink (and so does inflammation)

Your body uses fat and carbohydrates as energy when you exercise.

After a while, our bodies become fitter and stronger, and we can burn more fat as an energy source. This means that fat cells shrink, and we start to feel a little lighter on our feet.

What’s more, our fat cells are known to produce the substances that cause a lot of low-grade inflammation in our bodies. So when we have smaller fat cells, our inflammation reduces too.

Which means we enjoy looking at the scales and feel healthier on the inside as well!