5 Benefits of Exercise
Medical Home Care Professionals have been helping those in Shasta County who have needed a little extra help for the past 35+ years. Whether it’s basic meal prepping and light housekeeping, injury and/or procedure recovery—we know everyone needs a little help from time to time. With that in mind, we also believe strongly in not only being there on your road to recovery, but instilling within every person we meet (including our team!) to lead a healthy lifestyle. One (very) an important factor in leading a full, healthy life has to do with getting regular exercise of some kind. An interesting note here is that it doesn’t necessarily mean a certain kind of intensity when exercising—just exercising in general! Exercise means any activity that causes you to work your muscles and burn calories. This can mean anything from walking to biking to lifting weights. Below we will talk about 5 benefits of making exercise of some kind a part of your lifestyle.
- Exercise can make you feel happier. Did you know that exercise can affect and change the part of your brain that regulates stress and anxiety? Getting regular exercise has been shown to improve mood and decrease negative feelings such as anxiety and depression. When you exercise, you increase your endorphin production, which is connected with positive emotions.
- Exercise has been shown to help with weight loss. When someone consumes fewer calories, your body will adjust the metabolic rate and actually adapt, making weight loss more difficult. However, when a person consumes good, clean food and gets regular exercise, their metabolic rate will increase. The connection between what your body burns and exercise are important in this area. Studies have also shown that including aerobic exercise and weight training will increase even further weight loss.
- Exercising is also great for your muscles and bones. When you are active, you are playing a vital role in the strengthening and development of your muscles and bone density. As people get older, they tend to experience muscle loss, which can increase the risk of injury. When a person exercises, their body releases hormones that promote healthy muscle growth when coupled with the right amount of protein intake. Weight training and other more high-impact exercises also can imporve bone density and could even help combat osteoporosis.
- Exercise can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Studies have shown that exercise is the main agent in the prevention of chronic disease! This is a staggering finding. Conversely, a lack of exercise could even be the leading cause of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and high cholesterol. Regular exercise has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, strengthen your heart health, and even increase energy levels.
- Exercise can help with skin health. Your body’s skin can be affected by the level of oxidative stress in it and can manifest in places such as your skin. Oxidative stress is when your body isn’t able to completely absorb free radicals, leaving some cells still needing repair. Increased, regular physical activity is known to help your body in the production of antioxidants, which fight off free radicals. Getting regular exercise helps promote those antioxidants and by extension, healthier skin.
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Today, Medical Home Care Professionals are one of the largest locally owned and operated agencies in Shasta County and have clinical teams of nurses, therapists, social service workers, Aides, and caregivers that are dedicated to providing our patients/clients with, respect, dignity, and quality care to guarantee a positive experience while healing at home. Give us a call today to learn more at 530-226-5577.