Exercise is the miracle cure we've always had, but for too long we've neglected to take our recommended dose. If exercise could be made into a pill, it would become a multi-million dollar industry because it has such significant benefit in almost all areas of health, including mental health. Luckily, this wonder drug is accessible to all on a sliding scale from free on up. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. 

1. Exercise controls weight

-Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. Regular exercise has been shown to increase your metabolic rate, which can burn more calories to help you lose weight.

2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Lack of regular physical activity is a primary cause of chronic disease. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including:

·       Stroke

·       Metabolic syndrome

·       High blood pressure

·       Type 2 diabetes

·       Heart disease

·       Depression

·       Anxiety

·       Many types of cancer

·       Arthritis

·       Falls

·       High cholesterol

·       Hypertension

·       cognitive function

·       risk of death

It can also help improve cognitive function and helps lower the risk of death from all causes.

3. Exercise is good for your muscles and bones

Exercise plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. Activities like weightlifting can stimulate muscle building when paired with adequate protein intake.

4. Exercise can make you feel happier

Ever heard of runner’s high? To those who don’t enjoy running, it may sound like a myth, but physical activity can actually make you happier. Exercise regulates hormone levels which can improve metabolism and lower stress levels, and decrease feelings of depression, and anxiety.

5. Exercise boosts energy

Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently.

6. Exercise promotes better sleep

Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to go to sleep. The increase in body temperature that occurs during exercise is thought to improve sleep quality by helping body temperature drop during sleep.

7. Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life

Regular physical activity can improve energy levels and increase your confidence about your physical appearance, which may boost your sex life. Physical activity can also improve sexual performance and sexual pleasure while increasing the frequency of sexual activity.

8. Exercise can help skin health

Your skin can be affected by the amount of oxidative stress in your body. Oxidative stress occurs when the body’s antioxidant defenses cannot completely repair the cell damage caused by compounds known as free radicals. This can damage the structure of the cells and negatively impact your skin.

9. Exercise can help your brain health and memory

Exercise can improve brain function and protect memory and thinking skills. To begin with, it increases your heart rate, which promotes the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain. It can also stimulate the production of hormones that enhance the growth of brain cells. Lastly, exercise has been shown to reduce changes in the brain that can contribute to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

It’s important to be sure you understand the role working out plays in your life, both the good and the bad. The key is to strike a good balance between healthy workouts and strenuous exercise. Be sure to listen to your body and understand how your routine may be helping or hurting you so you can update your lifestyle accordingly. Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and happier life.