You've heard all the benefits of exercise, but have you ever wondered what can happen to your body if you don't exercise? Exercise is important for your overall health and mental well-being. It helps lower stress levels, builds muscle mass, improves blood circulation, reduces sugar cravings, and more. But without regular workouts or a healthy diet, there are certain things that can happen to your body over time — and not in a good way.
You increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes
Exercise can help reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. It can help you control your blood sugar levels, which may reduce the risk of developing diabetes. Regular exercise can also help you lose weight and lower cholesterol levels, both of which may reduce the risk of heart disease. In addition, it can also help lower blood pressure, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
You put yourself at higher risk of developing cancer
The American Cancer Society reports that physical inactivity has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer. This is because the lack of exercise can increase your risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, which leads to higher rates of diabetes and heart disease — all major contributors to cancer development.
Your mental health may suffer
One of the most important benefits of regular physical activity is that it helps you manage stress. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed.
But if you don't make time for exercise, your mental health can suffer. If you're not active, you might find yourself feeling unmotivated and fatigued throughout the day. You might be more likely to experience feelings of sadness or hopelessness. You could also have trouble sleeping at night or difficulty concentrating during the day.
You may have trouble sleeping
You may also have trouble sleeping as exercise helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm. It also increases the amount of melatonin your body produces and decreases the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone that can make it difficult to fall asleep.
If you’re not exercising regularly, all this can happen:
You won't be getting enough physical activity to improve sleep quality.
Your circadian rhythm will be out of sync with normal hours because there aren't enough daylight hours for you to get used to them. This is more common in winter months.
Your balance and coordination may suffer
Exercise is important for maintaining your balance and coordination. As you age, your muscles and joints become less flexible, making it harder to maintain a steady posture when standing or walking. If you don’t exercise regularly, your risk of falling increases because of this decrease in flexibility.
You may also experience a decline in cognitive function as you age, including memory problems and difficulty with problem-solving tasks that require planning. However, exercising can help improve these types of thinking skills by increasing blood flow to the brain and improving gray matter volume, which is responsible for processing information.
You increase your risk for obesity
Your body mass index (BMI) will also increase without exercise. The BMI is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. It’s a general guide to whether you are at a healthy weight or not. If you have a BMI greater than 25, this means that you are overweight and if your BMI is 30 or more, then this means that you are obese.
You'll have weaker bones and joints
Lack of exercise can lead to weak bones and joints. Your bones become brittle from a lack of activity, which makes them more susceptible to fractures. This is especially true for older adults, who may already have osteoporosis or other conditions that make their bones more fragile.
Exercise helps prevent joint pain and injuries, particularly if you're doing something like running that puts pressure on your knees or ankles. It's also good for preventing back pain because it strengthens the muscles in your core, which supports your spine when you're standing up straight or lifting heavy objects.
Conclusion
Exercise is a key component of your overall well-being. When you exercise regularly, you can expect many benefits for your mood, energy levels, cognitive function, and physical health. By taking care of yourself by staying active on a regular basis, you'll be able to keep all these things in check while also improving other areas such as digestion or even reducing stress levels.
Comments