If exercise was a pill it would be regarded as a wonder drug, the best medicine, so powerful are its known effects to improve everything from general wellbeing to musculoskeletal disease to cardiovascular problems to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, mental health, anxiety and depression.
So, aside from getting stronger and fitter, here are three big reasons to keep exercising – or to start if you aren’t already:
Support your immune system
It’s simple - being physically fit increases your immunological fitness too. Basically, exercise increases blood flow and mobilizes white blood cells, one of the main defences against harmful microbes. At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week is recommended, but anything is better than nothing. One study found that just 30 minutes of brisk walking increased the circulation of natural killer cells and other immune system warriors in the blood.
Reduce your risk of chronic illness
There is a myriad of health benefits of exercise, including lowering the incidence of various cancers, reducing the risk of excessive weight gain (with its associated health problems, including diabetes) and improved cardiovascular health (including lower risk of hypertension and stroke). All of these contributed to an overall lower risk of all causes of mortality in people who exercise.
Improve your mental health
Stress hormones compromise immune function but exercise, including yoga, is very good at combatting stress. Numerous studies have shown that regular physical activity is associated with better mental health, including a reduced risk or incidence of dementia, reduced feelings of anxiety and depression, improved cognitive function, improved quality of life, improved sleep. Again, the latest neuroscience shows that even moderate physical activity can have major benefits.
To say exercise is always more effective than conventional medicine is a stretch, and no one is saying a workout will help in a genuine health emergency. But a huge 2013 comparison study of exercise and drug interventions found that being fit was as good if not better at combatting a number of chronic illnesses.
In short, exercise is really good for you, so keep it up!
These articles are for information purposes. Please follow the advice of your clinician / health professional if you have a specific health and wellbeing issue.
