Does the thought of exercise make your eyes roll? Sometimes it can be quite expensive, take too much time, or simply be impractical. However, this is a great long-term investment. Exercise is not just about being in shape, it is about improving your overall health and well-being. Read this article if you need a solid reason to exercise.
Here are 10 reasons why you need to exercise

1Helps to maintain a healthy weight
Exercise is a highly effective method to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise not only burns calories but also builds muscle and boosts your metabolism. However, weight loss requires both diet and exercise. It is important to couple consistent exercise with a balanced, nutritious diet.
2Improves your mood
Here’s another reason to exercise: all kinds of physical activity can improve your overall emotional well-being. In fact, research shows that only 30 minutes of moderate exercise can promote a positive mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Even a brisk walk around the block or a game of catch with your dog can generate these effects.
Next time you are down, get outside and get moving!
3Boosts your energy levels
It can be tempting to stay sedentary when we are low on energy. However, being active can have a very positive impact on your energy levels! Exercise promotes healthy blood flow and reduces endorphins, ‘feel-good’ chemicals, which boost energy.
Moreover, a study by the Harvard Medical School suggests that exercise can also improve the circulation of oxygen in the body. This in turn improves your hormone levels and makes you more energetic.
4Reduces risk of chronic diseases
Exercise can also reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and various forms of Cancer. Exercise promotes cardiovascular health by increasing heart and lung function and reducing blood pressure, while it prevents diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity. Finally, exercise can reduce the risk of cancer by strengthening the immune system and generating healthy cell growth.
It is time to get moving!
5Improves sleep
Poor sleep can be excruciating. However, a 2012 study found that those struggling with persistent insomnia had significantly better sleep when taking part in a moderate-intensity aerobic program. Long-term effects on insomniac patients include longer and deeper sleep and a reduced time to fall asleep.
Exercise helps regulate your body’s internal clock which will improve your overall sleep health.
To snooze better, exercise more!
6Improves cognitive function
Regular exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory and thinking skills. This is because exercise can increase the production of chemicals that promote brain health.
One study proves that people who do HIIT regularly show dramatic improvements in spatial memory (the capacity to remember physical relations between objects and their location). While numerous studies show positive impacts on focus.
7Increases life-span
Exercise is often touted for its ability to improve overall health, but did you know that it can also help you live longer? Studies have shown that people who are physically active have a significantly higher life expectancy than those who are sedentary.
The relative risk of death is approximately 20% to 35% lower in people who are physically active and fit compared to those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. This also translates to an average life expectancy increase of over 4 years!
8Reduces stress
Exercise can help fight stress as it regulates the stress-inducing hormone, cortisol. Moreover, physical activity triggers the brain’s natural pain-relieving and mood-enhancing chemicals, like endorphins.
Feeling relaxed and getting healthy? I’m in!
9Strengthens social bonds
Exercise can be an intensely social activity. Whether you are joining a group fitness class, hitting the weights, or taking part in Muay Thai, exercise is a fantastic way to meet people and make friends. Friendships in exercise settings can also promote healthier habits. It is a win-win!
10Suits different wallets
We often assume that being in shape or healthy is expensive. Maybe you need to splash cash on a gym membership, or expensive weight equipment. In reality, there are a wide variety of physical exercises that suit a range of budgets. Free options include jogging or hiking, or at-home HIIT exercises. YouTube is a fantastic resource for low-cost exercise routines. More expensive options include yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and CrossFit.
Let’s sum up

If you’re not exercising regularly, now is the time to start! Exercise has so many benefits for your well-being, it’s hard to count them all. But regardless of whether you want to lose weight, reduce stress, or improve your mood, exercise can help. The main reason to exercise is to improve your overall health. So what are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present to get moving!
Not enough? Here are some more from our colleague
If you’re looking for a way to implement physical activity into your daily routine, watch this video on how simple walking changes lives. This could be your first step into the journey to increased longevity.