When was the last time you went for a walk, played a round of golf, or went to the gym? A moving body stays in motion and offers a range of benefits to booting. Here are 11 benefits of regular exercise that you should know.


1. Exercise improves your mood.


Are you in a bad mood and don't know why? Something as simple as a brisk walk around the neighborhood can help lift your mood and improve your mood. Just 30 minutes of exercise can release chemicals in your brain that can instantly dispel those bad thoughts. And you can maximize the benefits when you make exercise a part of your regular routine. Whether it's lifting weights at the gym, walking Fido, or doing yoga in the basement, a little physical activity will make you happier every day.


2. Exercise helps you sleep.


Have you ever seen a little kid take a nap after a long day playing in the park? They fall asleep quickly and sleep hard. And you can too! When your body is moving and exercising, you will sleep better and sleep faster.


3. Exercising helps your sex life.


Regular exercise will help you look better and have more energy. These two benefits alone can bring a new spark to the bedroom. But according to the Mayo Clinic, "regular physical activity can increase arousal in women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have erectile dysfunction problems than men who do not exercise." So go to the gym and get a good boost in the bedroom.


4. Exercise helps you diet.


Food is fuel. When you exercise, your body needs certain nutrients, vitamins, and calories to perform at its best. You will find that you have cravings for more nutritious foods and that you will not want fatty foods that lack nutritional value. What if you rejected your body's advice and ate a Big Mac before working out? Well, your body has a way of making you understand that it wasn't the right decision. When you treat your body like a finely tuned machine, you will find that you will need the best fuel and it will follow your diet.


5. Exercise reverses symptoms of stress.


Stress seems to be part of everyday life. With technology that makes real-time results more repeatable, the physical toll of stress affects just about everyone. Physical activity helps almost all symptoms of stress and removes them almost magically. Back and neck pain causes back pain? Exercise can help relax muscles and relieve pain. From migraines to depression, stress can be a source of terror for your body. Regular exercise helps reverse symptoms and improve your mood.


6. Exercise makes you smarter. and smaller.


Research says that aerobic activity keeps cognitive function active and reduces the decline in memory and processing speed associated with aging. So whether you take a class, train for 5km, or play tennis, you can improve your brain power and stave off the effects of aging, all while having fun!

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7. Doing sports makes you feel attractive.


My favorite benefit of exercising regularly? The way it makes you feel. You will feel more confident, good and sexy. Exercising regularly will transform your body, making all that hard work pay off in a very tangible way. And subtle "improvements" to the body will help you become more confident with the opposite sex, whether you are single and flaunt or married and looking for a little more spice.


8. Exercise helps control addiction.


Addiction comes in all shapes and sizes. From food to nicotine to drugs and everything in between, addiction plays a role in the lives of many. Exercise, especially long-distance running, releases many of the same chemicals that are released with addiction. Running literally makes you high, and this helps get rid of these addictions by offering a similar reward without the side effects.


9. Exercise reduces aches and pains.


Movement is good for joints and reduces muscle stiffness. Helps strengthen bones and increases range of motion. All of these things mean that those aches and pains from years of inactivity can go away with a regular exercise plan.


10. Exercise can be social.


Whether you play a game like basketball or tennis, join a group like CrossFit, or even join a yoga class, exercise can be incredibly social and fun. These can be great ways to meet fun new people and make a great conversation starter when you meet people who are excited about the same activities you do.


11. Exercise keeps you motivated.


Forming good habits and seeing results can help you stay motivated in other areas of your life. And when you feel good and confident in yourself, you'll feel more motivated than ever to do more.

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