We all know the benefits of exercise, but still don’t feel so motivated at times to do some. More than the fact that it leads to a healthier life, here are some awesome benefits of exercise that you might not be aware of.

1. Exercise makes you feel happier

Getting physically active can potentially boost levels of potent brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which help to shield some of the effects of stress. Moreover, a research at Princeton University reveals that exercising creates new and excitable neurons along with new neurons designed to release the GABA neurotransmitter, which can help to induce a natural state of calm.

2. Exercise can result in better skin

Exercise increases circulation and blood flow to your skin, which only imply that it is receiving a renewed dose of oxygen and nutrients. This promotes overall skin health and also aids in wound healing. To improve your skin, you must focus on resistance training, wherein you’ll be using your own bodyweight to challenge your muscles. By increasing lean muscle mass that settles just underneath the surface of your skin, it can make your skin appear firmer and lifted. But you must take note that excessive cardio training is not recommended if skin toning is your goal.

3. Exercise can help you recover from chronic illness

Unlike the common belief that those who are critically ill should not exercise, being physically active is strongly recommended. Among cancer patients, exercise should typically be a crucial part of treatment that may speed successful recuperation and lower your risk of cancer recurrence. Exercise also benefits people with joint pain, including osteoarthritis, and may be a key treatment for people suffering from depression or anxiety. So why not start strutting your stuff today?

4. Exercise can slow down aging

It is indeed the true “fountain of youth”! Exercise can make you look and feel younger in a number of ways. It can help you to be more flexible, sleep better and lower your risk of chronic disease. Exercise also induces changes in mitochondrial enzyme content and activity, which can increase your cellular energy production and trigger mitochondrial biogenesis (the process by which new mitochondria are formed in your cells).

5. Exercise can boost brain health

Regular physical activities benefit the cognitive function of the brain in the long run. In a study of adults aged 60 to 80, those who were the most physically active had better brain oxygenation and better patterns of brain activity, particularly in the hippocampus and in connecting different brain regions together. Such patterns are associated with improved intellectual function. What is perhaps most titillating about the findings is that this enhanced cognition occurred among older adults who were physically active but not athletes. You can now battle against Alzheimer’s disease!

So next time you feel like quitting, think about these wonderful benefits of exercise,aside from the beach-ready body, and keep rolling!

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