Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can help you control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, improve your mental health and mood and increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life. Even if you already have heart disease, physical activity can help you manage your condition and improve your overall health. Keep reading to learn more about the link between physical activity and health.
Lower Blood Sugar
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy. Physical activity helps keep blood sugar low. When people are active, they have less sugar in their blood. This is because physical activity allows the body to use insulin better.
Lower Blood Pressure
Regular exercise reduces blood pressure. When you’re active, your heart doesn’t have to work hard to pump blood around your body. This lowers your blood pressure and helps your heart function better.
Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat in the blood. Too much cholesterol can cause heart disease. Physical activity helps lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.
Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Physical activity can help you reduce your risk of developing heart disease and help you manage your condition if you already have heart disease.
Reduce Risk of Stroke
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Physical activity can help you reduce your risk of having a stroke. If you’ve already had a stroke, physical activity can help you recover.
Help Control Weight
Physical activity can help you control your weight. When you’re active, you burn more calories. This can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Improve Mental Health and Mood
There’s a link between physical and mental health. Regular physical activity can help you feel more energetic and improve your mood, as well as helping reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Fitness can also help you sleep better, which also elevates your mood.
Increase Life Span
Regular physical activity can help you live a longer, healthier life. Active people have a lower risk of dying from heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. Also, they often live longer than inactive people.
As you can see, there are many benefits to being physically active. So get up and get moving! Even a little physical activity is better than none. And the more active you are, the greater the health benefits.
