Exercise offers a variety of health benefits to Nigerians, from feeling energized and looking great to decreasing the risk of disease. Sadly, not many Nigerians are consistent with their physical fitness. Don’t get me wrong.
A handful of Nigerians are very dedicated when it comes to staying fit. They go as far as documenting their fitness journeys and it helps build discipline. But that’s the minority. However, the irony is that if you’d love to look like Kate Henshaw at 50 and still be energetic, now is the time to take physical fitness seriously.
Aside from possessing the strength of a 20-year-old when you’re 60, regular physical exercise holds tons of benefits. Here’s a sneak peek. Regular Physical exercise can improve mental health, increase bone density, reduce the risk of heart disease, and even increase life expectancy! Pretty cool stuff right? Need that motivation to get up in the morning and chase your fitness? keep reading.
Burn Calories and Lose Weight.
As cliche as this might sound, one of the reasons people dabble in physical fitness is to lose the extra weight. Lucky for you, it works as long as you’re consistent with it. It’ll help you manage your weight and control obesity. So if you’re at risk of becoming obese or you already are, you might want to hit the gym or take to physical fitness.
Of course,e you should do this on your doctor’s order to avoid complications of any kind. But when you become consistent with becoming physically fit, it’ll be good for you and get rid of the calories. You see, burning calories plays a vital role in attaining or maintaining a healthy weight. Aside from burning weight and calories, there’s more.
Chasing the path of physical fitness also helps build muscle. Here’s the kicker! Building muscles play a vital role in burning calories throughout the day while resting. It makes it easier to eat fewer calories without feeling hungry. So, if your physical fitness goal is to lose weight and burn as many calories as possible, it’s time to take physical fitness seriously baby, and build muscles.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety.
If you always feel that Lagos stresses bullying your body, that may be the sign you need to get a workout plan. The reason? It’s a great way to manage your stress levels and improve your mental health and here’s how it works.
When you exercise, you give your body the chance to increase the serotonin levels in the brain. Why should you care about that big word? Turns out serotonin is a neurotransmitter that contributes to positive moods. Exercise also releases endorphins, which are natural “feel good” chemicals that reside in the brain.
While regular exercise releases and increases all these positively impacting chemicals in the brain, it also reduces the stress hormone cortisol. Once that happens, you’d notice a significant reduction in your anxiety symptoms.
Balance Your Hormones and Fight Disease.
Wouldn’t you love it if your body puts up a good fight against diseases? That way, you’ll enjoy a speedy recovery and possibly rarely fall victim to certain illnesses. Well, exercising can get you that far and beyond, as it significantly impacts your hormonal balance.
Regular exercise regulates the hormones in your body, allowing them to function at optimum levels. This is important for both physical and mental health, as hormones such as testosterone and estrogen are involved in both metabolic and physiological processes. By improving hormone regulation, exercise can protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Enjoy Improved Mobility and Flexibility.
I can’t be the only one that feels pangs of jealousy mixed with admiration whenever I see a fellow human being display how flexible they are. I mean, it’s always a delight to watch a fellow Nigerian split or concoct their bodies in ways that seem impossible. Guess what? Exercise can afford you that luxury.
It helps adults enjoy improved mobility and flexibility. In essence, it strengthens your muscles, conditions your body, and improves your posture. It’s also a great remedy for joint and back pain and stiffness.
You’ll feel its impact on your overall well-being, activity levels, mood, and sleep. Trust me, you’ll have more fun doing physical activities like gardening or climbing stairs as they’ll come with ease.
Increase Energy Levels and Mental Focus
Nigeria can be energy-draining. With dozens of tasks to accomplish on your to-do list, you could easily descend into frustration if your body feels devoid of energy. Rather than always resort to unhealthy ways to boost your energy, how about you take your workout routines seriously?
You see, low energy levels and lack of mental focus are things you can fix with good exercise. The best part? It doesn’t only grant you strengthened and toned muscle, but it also improves cardiovascular health which can equate to increased endorphin production – aka a naturally high energy level!
When it comes to mental focus, exercise can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which boost mood and help to improve brain function. This results in an enhanced focus and clarity of thought while encouraging relaxation.
Conclusion
Now that you know the benefits of exercise, I don’t expect that you’ll instantly start to commit to it. Take it one step at a time. Plus, you don’t necessarily need to register at a gym right away. In fact, it’s best to start a routine of yours at home before you head out to a gym.
That way, you’ll have mastered what works for you by the time you finally decide to work out at the gym. With many workout apps available, you’ll have all the help you need to get started and enjoy the benefits of exercise.
