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Body and Mind
- Updated: November 27, 2015
Exercising is great for the body. A few of the many benefits to exercising regularly include building muscle, burning body fat, building stronger bones, strengthening vital organs, controlling blood pressure, improving metabolism, maintaining a healthy weight and improving the circulatory system. A combination of both cardiovascular training and strength training is recommended for optimal health.
Exercising Benefits the Mind
Both light and strenuous exercise provides many mental benefits. One of the many mental benefits of exercising is caused by an increase of blood flow to the brain while exercising. Blood vessels in the muscles dilate while exercising which allows more blood and oxygen to flow through the body. Any muscle or organ that experiences high blood flow during exercise will benefit from the extra oxygen it receives and because of this it works to the best of its ability, both during exercise and for some time afterwards.
Many people enjoy exercising before work and report feeling more productive throughout their day as a result of this mental benefit from exercising.
Endorphins
Exercising at a moderate to high intensity causes the brain to releases endorphins, once released into the body a positive feeling known as a “runner high or second wind” is felt. Endorphins are very good for health, they enhance the immune system, they reduce stress, they postpone the aging process, and they relieve pain. Endorphins can be anywhere from eighteen to five hundred times as powerful as any man-made analgesic. And, they are non-addictive.
How much is enough?
Adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities. A simple way to remember how much is enough is by setting a goal of a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. As recommended by the American Heart Association.
Resources: American Heart Association; Road to Health Main Education Site
Attend one of the FREE exercise programs offered by the City of Los Fresnos at Los Fresnos Memorial Park Monday – Friday at 8:30 am, Monday and Wednesday at 5:30pm.
For more information contact Christine De La Rosa, Los Fresnos Community Health Worker at 956-407-3348 or email at [email protected] or Los Fresnos City Hall at 956-233-5768.