Working out isn’t just about getting in shape. In fact, regular exercise can help improve your overall mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Women who work out on a regular basis often see great benefits such as improved sleep quality, clearer skin, and experience more positive moods.
There are tons of amazing benefits to incorporating exercise into your routine and we’ve put together a list of our top four!
Counteracting mood swings during menopause
From menstrual cycles to menopause, as women we’re constantly experiencing shifts in mood due to our oestrogen and progesterone levels. When your oestrogen levels drop leading up to menopause, you often loose the natural source of serotonin (otherwise known as the “feel good” chemical). Exercise is a great way of counteracting this loss due to the endorphins that are released when taking part in physical activity. Endorphins will leave you feeling relaxed and happy after your workout.
Exercising during your cycle
For a lot of women, the last thing you feel like doing during your cycle is going for a run or hitting the weight section in the gym. However, exercising during your cycle has some great benefits that may even relieve cramps and feelings of sluggishness. As previously mentioned, exercise will release endorphins and therefore positively impacting our moods. Experts have even found that some women have fewer painful cramps during their period if they exercise regularly. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week my reduce feelings of depression and fatigue.
Get a natural glow
We’ve all experienced that post work out glow. Well, working out regularly can work wonders for your skin long-term too! Exercising gets your blood pumping which increases circulation, giving your skin a good dose of oxygenated blood. In turn, the skin cells a nourished and leave you with that radiant glow.
Building and retaining strength
As we age our bodies struggle more to build muscle mass and improve strength. Aging adults not only struggle to build strength, but you also tend to lose the muscle mass you already have. So, what better remedy than exercise? A higher muscle mass can also improve endurance, fight heart disease, and reduce your risk of injury.
There are many ways to incorporate more exercise into our routines whether it’s going for a 20-minute walk, hitting the gym, or doing a virtual class at home. Exercise can make a huge difference to your body and mind, from physical to mental health.
