We are currently working our way through a three part series where we are taking some time to look at the three pillars of health. This week we are exploring the second pillar to a healthy lifestyle which is exercise and the importance of getting it on a regular basis. Exercise comes with many health benefits, some bigger than others so let’s start off by looking at why exercise is so important.
Firstly, it is worth mentioning that when we exercise it causes a release of endorphins in our system which helps to make us feel happier. This may seem like a simple or small effect but there are few more reliable ways to help us feel good about ourselves than by doing a bit of exercise. When we head outside to exercise we gain some extra benefits through the absorption of Vitamin D which we get from the sun. A lesser known benefit of being outside in the sun is that it is actually really good for our eyes to be exposed to natural sunlight – it assists in regulating the hormonal system. Exercising is a great tool for getting us outside.
Another huge, yet often unspoken about benefit of exercising is how it can aid in detoxifying our body through the lymphatic system. This system moves toxins from our cells up into our heart through the expansion and contraction of muscles, unlike the blood which moves oxygen through the use of the heart as a pump. Exercising is a really effective way of moving these toxins from your cells to where they need to be in order to be processed and flushed from your body.
When you find yourself feeling really tired, stressed, or lethargic, getting out and going for a walk or a short run will go a long way in helping you feel better. While it may sound counter intuitive it does make sense when you consider that getting your heart pumping helps blood flow throughout the body which in turn helps in oxygen delivery to all your muscles and organs. So while you may not feel like exercising beforehand you will almost always be grateful you did once you get back from your walk.
If you find yourself unsure of where to start when it comes to getting more active in your lifestyle, as with most things, start small. Try to get out for a short 20 minute walk once or twice a week. Another great exercise you can look at doing is rebounding. While this does require the purchase of a rebounder it is a really easy exercise to fit into your daily schedule and it has some really good benefits when it comes to draining your lymphatic system. You will find that you will only need a fraction of the time to achieve the same results as opposed to walking or running.
There are really so many options when it comes to what exercise to do and how best to add it into your lifestyle, and what may work for one person may not work so well for the next. As with all these health solutions, what is important is finding something that works for you and then sticking to it for long enough to see some results. Remember, health is a journey not a destination. We hope this helps inspire you to start taking steps towards a more active lifestyle and once you start down the road of regular exercise you will wonder what took you so long to begin.
