What are the Benefits of Working Out?

So what if you don’t have a specific goal in terms of fitness? Not everybody needs to look like Dwayne Johnson or be able to run a marathon. However, physical health is still very important even if you have a positive body image and are content with your physical appearance. Many times, people feel as if they don’t need to workout for this exact reason but often forget about all the other benefits that come with working out! Exercise has been shown to improve your overall mental health, working to decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Working out helps to increase the brains sensitivity to neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine which help to elevate mood and reduce feelings of depression. In addition, you may think that working out will make you tired throughout the day, but regular exercise has actually been shown to increase energy levels and decrease the feeling of fatigue we often experience. Exercise actually increases blood flow to the brain, improving brain function, memory, and cognitive capacity. Likewise, exercise also lowers your risk for chronic disease such as Type II Diabetes and heart disease. So, while having a positive body image and feeling happy with your appearance is very important, you should still consider taking up a workout regime. The health benefits, both physically and emotionally, are unmatched when it comes to engaging in something that only takes 1-2 hours out of your week. The truth is many conditions such as heart disease and Type II diabetes are totally preventable with an active lifestyle, so challenge yourself to make a change in your lifestyle that will impact your overall health in a positive way!