When it comes to reasons for exercising, most will stem about either losing weight or wanting to get stronger to help improve their quality of life, especially as they get into the senior years.
There are other great benefits, however, that you might not think about, but once you do, they can provide additional motivation to keep you moving down the right fitness path.
Beth Abraham Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five of these great additional reasons to exercise.
- Give Yourself an Energy Boost
Nearly half of adults over the age of 50 report having a feeling of general fatigue at least once per week. But unlike temporary fixes like caffeine and energy drinks/bars, regular exercise will give you a natural energy boost by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and dopamine in your system, and it will also give you more serotonin, which is a natural mood enhancer.
- Train Your Brain
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that regular exercise is linked to a lower risk of acquiring the disease. Studies also show that being sedentary shrinks gray matter in the brain, which is where learning takes place and memory is stored.
- Get Heart Healthy
Studies routinely find that getting around 150 minutes of exercise per week can reduce your risk of heart failure by a significant percentage. And it’s not too late to start—even those in their 50s can reduce their risk for certain conditions by as much as 10% with one year of regular exercise.
- Boost Your Immune System
The increased circulation that comes from exercising is a great boost for your immune system—and it doesn’t take much to trigger that effect. Studies found that just walking regularly can cut your risk of catching a cold by over 40%.
To learn more about Beth Abraham Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://beth-abraham-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
