Experts say that if you want to live longer, then you need to move more. There are plenty of reasons why exercise is great for us. It helps us stay fit, lose excess weight, improve balance, flexibility and lowers our risk of several diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. However, regular exercise is now also considered one of the best ways to help us live a longer, fuller, more healthy life.
The idea that exercise can improve our life expectancy seems logical knowing the benefits. If exercise limits our vulnerability to diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, then you’ve in turn reduced your risk of dying from these diseases too.
Why does exercise help you live longer?
There is more science that explains why exercise can help you live longer. According to research, there is in fact cellular changes that are associated with regular exercise that keep you younger. Indeed, there was one study which investigated the DNA of nearly 6,000 adults. Results showed that telomeres (the end caps on chromosomes that shorten with age) were longer in people who were active compared to those who lived a sedentary lifestyle. This difference was an equivalent of 9 years in terms of cell ageing between the two groups. This is fascinating science which proves the incredible anti-ageing benefits of exercise. Further research has also shown the heart and lung capacity of older people who are regularly active is comparable to those who are significantly younger.
The benefits of exercise
Due to the scientifically proven benefits of exercise, many people now try to engage in regular workout routines either from home or at the gym. Some individuals have gone as far as to create the own home gyms to make exercise more accessible while working from home and juggling family life. If you wanted to create your own home gym, there are plenty of equipment and machine options to choose from – a treadmill for sale would be a good investment, or even a rowing machine or cross trainer.
Exercise has significant effects on our physical and emotional wellbeing. A few examples of how it can help us slow the ageing process include:
- Anti-inflammatory – inflammation of the muscles and other tissues in the body are associated with ageing. However, exercise has been shown to help improve this by keeping them active.
- Mood-boosting – exercise can help us feel better and improve our overall energy levels, providing us with more spirit and motivation throughout the day.
- Improved sleep – exercise allows us to use excess energy which can help us get into a good sleep-wake cycle and make us feel ready for bed.
- Exercise has also been showing to improve cognitive function, including a reduction in memory loss. This may be due to exercise helping our bodies pump blood and oxygen around the body.
- Improved Immunity
- Improved digestion
How much exercise is enough exercise?
Most health professionals advise exercising three times a week, or the equivalent of 150 minutes is healthy goal to maintain throughout life. It’s important to note that you don’t have to engage with high endurance activities to improve your life expectancy either. Moderate activities such as brisk walking and moderate hiking have been shown to be beneficial.
It’s never too late to start exercising and reaping the benefits of this marvellous anti-ageing solution.
