The Benefits of Exercise
Introduction
Many people cringe when they hear the word “exercise”– it tends to conjure images of treadmills, ‘gym bros’ with protein shakes, and abandoned new year’s resolutions. But, in truth, exercise is much more than going to the gym, running, or lifting weights– it’s an important part of living a healthy life. Staying physically active can take many forms, many of which are low-impact, stress-free, and fun!
The Science Behind It
The dictionary defines exercise as “1. bodily or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improvement of health; 2. something done or performed as a means of practice or training” (dictionary.com). It’s easy to see how such a concept came to acquire its present connotation, but this post will speak more on that in the following section. Countless studies show the many physical and psychological benefits of exercise– not just exercise as we traditionally think of it, but any means of staying active! It increases lifespan, mitigates negative effects associated with chronic illness, and reduces risk of health issues, especially heart issues, later in life. It also improves mood and memory! According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Students who are physically active tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance (e.g., memory) and classroom behaviors (e.g., on-task behaviors).” Studies have also shown that exercise even has additional benefits for children and adults with ADHD and/or autism!
Do you Hate Exercise?
As touched upon, the term ‘exercise’ comes with a bit of baggage these days. Thanks to so-called diet culture, many people (especially women) have increasingly unhappy views of their bodies. Some feel the pressure to work out so they can look good overwhelming, while others feel that going to the gym is too expensive or too much of a hassle. Still others declare that they abhor running, weight lifting, or other such tedious traditional exercise regimens. And no small wonder! Who has time to work and go to the gym every day?! (Alright, some people make the time, and those people are extremely powerful and not to be trifled with!) For the rest of us, however, the mere prospect seems daunting and, frankly, not always worth it.
Keep Yourself Active
Despite all this, exercise isn’t merely going to the gym– there are numerous, even countless ways to stay active, many of which are easy and fun! Staying in shape isn’t all running and lifting weights; simply going for a walk every day can be a great place to start. The ways to get and stay in shape are endless: boxing, badminton, ballet, baseball, hiking, biking, building, dancing, fencing, farming, karate, pilates, gymnastics, kayaking, soccer, swimming, sledding, skiing, yoga, climbing, trampoline, kickboxing, jiu jitsu, tennis, metalworking! Walking your dog, exploring a bog, or going to a rodeo and chasing a greased hog! These are just a few ways to stay active that don’t involve going to the gym or running. Even if none of these appeal to you, simply going for a little walk every day is an excellent place to start!
Conclusion
While many people associate the term ‘exercise’ with the gatekeeping, health blog, diet fad community, it’s actually just a general term for staying active. Physical activity is paramount to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. So, do away with images of treadmills and weight racks, and don some sneakers for a walk in the nearest park. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you!
Sources:
“Physical Activity Facts.” CDC, 11 Aug. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.htm#:~:text=Students%20who%20are%20physically%20active,%2C%20on%2Dtask%20behavior).&text=Higher%20physical%20activity%20and%20physical,concentration%2C%20memory)%20among%20students. Accessed 5 July 2023.
