Ever since we were kids we were always old that playing is crucial for our development. Every evening I and my friends would visit the nearest park and play various games. I would often look forward to that one hour in the park throughout the day. But eventually, we all grew up and the games became less frequent. There even came a time when none of us had time to play because of school and tuition.
It was much later that I realized that skipping that one hour was impacting my body negatively. I was less focused on my studies and was gaining weight. This also affected my confidence level and finally, I decided to join a gym and exercise regularly. I learned that what experts say about exercising regularly was true and I could see positive changes in my life.
The first and foremost benefit that I experienced was controlled weight. Regular exercise helped me manage my weight and made me physically strong. With the right workout routine, I was able to fit in cheat meals and eventually get closer to my desired body weight. It also helped me strengthen my muscles and bones. I was also able to increase my stamina and walk for longer time periods when compared to the time I didn’t exercise.
The benefits of exercise are not limited to physical health. Exercise can improve our mental health too. It can improve our memory and concentration. It is also seen that people who exercise regularly are happier and it also regulates stress and anxiety levels. I personally experienced this as I was able to get more confident and happy with regular exercise. It also helped me concentrate more on my studies.
Evidence suggests that regular exercise also helps reduce chronic diseases like diabetes and other heart-related complications. People who do develop chronic diseases are able to manage their symptoms efficiently with exercise. Many of my older family members who have diabetes are able to control it with regular exercise. Moreover, people who experience chronic body pain can also reduce it. Instead of applying an ointment every night, they can start mild workouts and see the positive change.
Exercising regularly also helps in getting a better quality of sleep. It is important that adults get at least 7 hours of sleep every night to function properly. But many people often find it difficult to fall asleep and even when they do it is not a deep sleep. It is a very common problem and the best solution for this is to exercise. Deep and regular sleep also makes people more productive and they’re able to concentrate more on their work.
A lot of people think that exercising regularly is a huge commitment. Even I thought the same because going to the gym daily was not my cup of tea, especially when all my other friends used that time to go out. However, I wanted to improve my physical and mental health and took a leap of faith. I bought the membership and committed to going at least 3 days a week. While Instagram influences may tell you that it is important to have a vigorous exercise routine and a strict diet, it is not true. Doctors suggest that even a mild workout thrice a week can help you. You also don’t have to buy those expensive supplements or fancy diet food. A simple home-cooked meal, eating fruits, and reduction in junk food can do wonders for your body.
Thus, regular exercise is the best thing you can do for yourself. It will help control your weight, make you stronger and increase your energy levels. It will also improve your mental health and reduce the risk of depression. You will be able to concentrate more on your work and get a better quality of sleep. While it is natural to get intimidated by the thought of regular exercise, you can start with thrice a week. A little goes a long way and what’s more important is consistency rather than working out vigorously once a week. There are so many types of exercises to choose from like sports, gym, running, or yoga. So choose the one that suits you and start exercising to live a healthy life.
-Manu Agrawal
Jaipuria Talks Blog 