4 Points of the Benefits of Exercise

Exercise is a natural part of life i.e. walking, although these days we have to consciously include it in our daily routine. If you are beginning a new exercise program or maybe you are a veteran in fitness, you may already be aware of the great benefits of what a few minutes of exercise a week can do not only for your body but also your mind.

Here are 4 points of the benefits of exercise:

1. Exercise can help combat stress and potential illness. When someone is under stress, adrenaline pours into the blood stream as part of our “fight or flight” response and muscles throughout the body tense in anticipation of a challenge. Immediate effects can range from a short temper to difficulty sleeping; long-term effects can be even more dangerous.

“Regular physical activity can help counter the potentially damaging effects of stress on the body and may help prevent stress-related illnesses.” “These activities provide a natural way to release tension in the body and will often lead to an automatic state of relaxation that naturally follows a good workout.” http://www.mamashealth.com/exercise/mindbody.asp

2. A recent study has found that women who walk remember.
When the cognitive abilities of elderly women were compared, those who walked regularly were less likely to experience age-related memory loss and other declines in mental function.

"In the higher-energy groups, we saw much less cognitive decline," said neurologist Kristine Yaffe, MD. Of the women who walked the least (a half-mile per week), 24% had significant declines in their test scores, compared to only 17% of the most active women (17 miles per week).

It wasn't a matter of all or nothing. "We also found that for every extra mile walked per week there was a 13% less chance of cognitive decline," said Yaffe, who is Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center. "So you don't need to be running marathons. The exciting thing is there was a 'dose' relationship which showed that even a little is good but more is better."

"In the higher-energy groups, we saw much less cognitive decline" – a protective effect amounting to as much as 40% – according to Yaffe. "This is an important intervention that all of us can do and it could have huge implications in preventing cognitive decline." http://www.fi.edu/brain/exercise.htm#physicalexercise

3. Walking is especially good for your brain, because it increases blood circulation and the oxygen and glucose that reach your brain.Walking is not strenuous, so your leg muscles don't take up extra oxygen and glucose like they do during other forms of exercise. As you walk, you effectively oxygenate your brain. Maybe this is why walking can "clear your head" and help you to think better. http://www.fi.edu/brain/exercise.htm#physicalexercise

4. Research has shown that regular exercise delivers a mental and emotional boost. It improves your mood, bolsters your self-esteem and gives you the confidence to handle whatever comes your way. Some studies hint that it also enhances the functioning of your brain. http://health.yahoo.com/topic/fitness/getstarted/article/islco/Fitness_fit_Stay_Happy


Exercise is a normal part of our lives which appears to have been taken for granted. Our modern world with all its luxuries seems to have blinded us from the benefits of a simple walk. Perhaps if we could devote a few minutes to our daily routine to walk the stairs instead of taking the elevator or even better tried walking from a parking place which was a little further from your favorite shop at the mall, you would see and feel the results in the long run . Remember that when you are trying to begin an exercise program but may feel overwhelmed at times, you can make bigger progress with smaller steps.