Did You Know Moving Your Body Can Help Reduce Stress and Make You Look Younger?

Does exercise hold the key to unlocking the fountain of youth? Well, we can’t say for sure but research and evidence suggests there is great benefit to moving your body that will help reduce aging and stress, leading to better physical and mental health.

Improves bone density and posture

Our bones are continually regenerating; old bone is broken down and new bone grows in to replace it. As we move into our late 30’s this cycle starts to slow down and we lose muscle and bone density. For women they also have an increase in osteoporosis, a condition that makes bones brittle. By implementing strength training or physical fitness into our weekly routine, not only do you increases muscle mass but also bone density. The muscle will protect your bones as they go through the regenerating cycle. By maintaining muscle and improving bone density you also strengthen your core and spine, which reduces the decline of your posture.

Makes our skin look younger

Yes you read that right! Because exercise increases blood flow and oxygen, which leads to eliminating waste, it keeps your skin cells healthy. As you exercise, more oxygen continues to be sent to the skin cell thus nourishing your skin.

It also opens up pores when we workout, leading to more waste elimination and healthier skin.

Increases energy and keeps metabolism high

When you move your body you increase your heart rate and metabolism. This leads to higher energy levels through out the day, including at rest. The more muscle mass you have the more energy you burn. This also means you are keeping your body moving as you did when you were younger, you are staying healthy, maintaining your weight, and finally you reduce the risk of getting sick.

Boosts mental health

There is plenty of research out there pointing to the mental benefits of exercise. It increases the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning. By increasing this size you are literally adding to the years of learning like a young person.

Not only that, but physical activity increases the production of endorphins in the brain. This is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for the “feel-good” state. Who doesn’t want to feel good? And you probably guessed it- when your endorphins are increased, you reduce stress levels.

Types of movements

Exercise comes in many different forms. You don’t even need to get a gym membership to get started. You just need to find movements that you like. Because if you like it, you will come back to it.

Walking

Walking at any pace is good for you. Getting outside for 20-30 minutes is all you need. Put on cushioned shoes, set up your favourite play list or podcast and go! Like to read? Try listening to an audio book while you walk. Stacking two things like this- walking and “reading” is called habit stacking. It will not only make the time go by but you can also mark two things off your to-do list.

Running

You can run outside. All you need is a pair of running shoes. Just make sure they are comfortable. If you have never run before there are many ways to get started including jogging for 10 minutes. Or a run-walk where you run for 1 minute, walk for 1-2 minutes and keep repeating this for 10 minutes or longer if you enjoy it. Of course if you have a gym membership, then simply jump on the treadmill.

Stairs

Have stairs at home? Climb up and down them for 10 minutes a day 3-4 times a week. Each week add 2 minutes to the time until you hit 20 minutes.

Work in an office building? Consider taking the stairs from floor to floor.

Have a gym membership? Use the stair climber as part of your cardio workout.

Yoga

Yoga is one of the best exercises to increase flexibility. By increasing flexibility you decrease the risk of injuries. It’s also one of the best exercises for stretching and reducing stress. As one of the most mindful workouts, it also has mental health benefits.

Strength training

Increasing your strength through weighted exercises increases your muscles. There are many forms of strength training and you don’t have to have free-weights to do it. You can use your body weight by doing pushups, sit-ups, lunges and squats to get a great full body workout. Start by doing 6 reps of each 3 times. Slowly increase the number of reps each week until you reach 15.

No matter what you choose, as long as you find a form of movement you enjoy you are benefiting your body. Keeping your body healthy and moving will decrease stress and keep you looking and feeling young.

This article is meant to provide information of what I have learned over of the years about physical exercise. It is not meant to replace any exercise or treatment that you already practise. Never start a new routine without consulting with your doctor first.