Exercise is often dreaded before a workout but never regretted after. Getting up the motivation is difficult at times, but the benefits always outweigh the dread. Getting your blood pumping with cardiovascular exercise is good for your mind, body and soul. Let’s take a look at why.
Mind
Cardiovascular exercise releases endorphins, which are hormones responsible for positive feelings. In turn, endorphins can also help to reduce anxiety and depression. Cardiovascular exercise can improve cognitive function as fresh oxygenated blood pumps to all tissues of the body, including your brain. It’s been found that cardiovascular exercise helps prevent dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease as you age.
Body
One of the best benefits of cardiovascular exercise is losing fat and reducing weight. As you increase your metabolism to burn more calories than you take in, your fat stores are used, decreasing body fat and helping you lose weight. The metabolic process that happens during exercise helps to process sugars and regulate blood pressure aiding in cardiometabolic health. Not only are you increasing your cardiorespiratory fitness, you are also preventing diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. If you are living with a chronic disease, cardiovascular exercise can help slow or delay it. Cardiovascular exercise improves sleep and increases energy so you will wake up refreshed and have more energy to combat the day.
Soul
With the release of endorphins during cardiovascular exercise, you will experience happy feelings and decreased pain perception. You might experience a boost in self-esteem as you feel less stress, anxiety and depression. Cardiovascular exercise can improve our overall quality of life.
Cardiovascular exercise is beneficial for everyone, no matter what age or health condition. Get your heart rate up and enjoy your exercise high!
