Fitness Friday: 7 Reasons to Work Out

Brain Boost –
Ever feel like you think a bit more clearly after a good workout? Not only is your brain getting more energy and oxygen, but many studies have shown that exercise can improve your memory and your brain health. 

Boost Your Confidence & Self- Esteem –
Obviously, exercise can improve your appearance which can improve confidence, but there’s more to it than that. Exercise can also help you feel more accomplished, and boost your self-esteem.

De-Stress & Get Rid of Depression –
We all have stress in our lives, whether it’s the occasional rough day or a more serious, chronic problem. Stress can mess with your mind, and your body, but studies have shown that exercise can combat it. Not only are those endorphins natural stress-fighters, but getting yourself into that exercise groove helps get your mind off the things stressing you out.

You’ll SLEEP Great –
If you ever have trouble falling asleep at night, the National Sleep Foundation says regular exercise will help you sleep better. The best time to work out is in the morning or the afternoon, rather than before bed—if you exercise too closely to bedtime, it can actually have the opposite effect!

More Energy – 
It may seem counter-intuitive—after all, working out can drain your energy quite a bit—but regular exercise can actually make you feel more energized. Studies show expending energy by engaging in regular exercise may pay off with increased energy in the long run.

You’ll Live LONGER –
It’s no secret that healthy living will keep you alive longer, but you might be surprised at how much. One study found that exercise improves life expectancy as much as quitting smoking. It really is true that sitting all day IS killing you—and just a bit of regular exercise can stave off the reaper for awhile

You’ll just be HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY –
Not only does exercise benefit you in all these ways, but overall you will be a HAPPIER you!  Researchers from the Penn State University found in their study that the more physically active people reported greater general feelings of excitement, enthusiasm and contentment compared with the less physically active people.

What are your top reasons for working out??