The Science of Fitness: Why Movement Matters

Sedentary jobs have become prevalent in our age, and most people spend almost all of their time sitting instead of moving. It’s quite restrictive to be in the same physical state while you are at the office, commuting, playing video games, etc. Movement should be an integral part of our lives; it’s a blessing that should not be taken for granted. This article tackles the importance of movement for your physical and mental health and how to become more active in simple ways. 

Five Benefits of Movement

From better sleep to enhanced well-being and energy, let’s discover how movement can empower you and transform your life. 

1-High Quality Sleep 

Even though most people have insomnia, they fail to recognize one of the most common causes of sleep deprivation is sedentary living. Fitness activities, be it walking, yoga, or any other activity, regulate your heart rate thus helping alleviate your stress levels and promote relaxation. According to Sleep Medicine Psychologist Michelle Drerup, outdoor exercise early in the morning in the invigorating light will establish a good sleep-wake cycle, like telling your body when to be active and when to rest and relax. 

Pilates is an effective exercise for sleep improvement, it enhances breathing, reduces stress, and helps you regulate your emotions and thoughts, therefore potentially alleviating insomnia levels.

2-Sustained Body Energy 

Fitness boosts and sustains your energy throughout the day. The more you move, the more energized you feel, and the better your body becomes at handling tasks. This doesn’t mean over exercising, but exercising regularly on a moderate scale that isn’t too tiring for you. To maintain energy and revitalization, adequate sleep and nutrition are also crucial. 

3-Pain Alleviation 

According to the NIH, exercise relieves pain in conditions such as low back pain, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. To help you start, below are two exercises that alleviate pain and improve your overall well-being: 

1-Swimming and water aerobics

Swimming regularly reduces fat percentage and increases the lean muscle mass of your body. Thus giving you a toned appearance and fostering your body flexibility. Besides building muscle strength, swimming is very therapeutic and good for your mental health as it helps you declutter your mind. 

2-Yoga 

Yoga encompasses soothing stretches, regulated breathing, and relaxation techniques, making it the perfect exercise for pain relief. It fosters flexibility, balance, and mindfulness, which help manage physical and emotional pain.

4-Mental Wellness

Movement is instrumental to your mental health and happiness levels, you can relate to that when you feel an instant feeling of happiness after a run, Zumba class, or a long walk. This is because movement reduces stress hormones while simultaneously increasing hormones related to happiness such as serotonin, making it the best option when you want to navigate your mental health and lead a better life. The science of fitness also entails how physical activity helps with depression, anxiety, and stress, giving you a great sense of well-being.

5-Weight Management 

Whether you want to lose or maintain body weight, exercise can help you reach either goal. Combined with healthy and moderate eating, exercise decreases body weight as it reduces body fat, especially with resistance training exercises which are also paramount for building your body’s muscles. 

How to Incorporate Movement in Your Life 

Small steps always win! To start any habit, you need to take baby steps and expand them as you grow. To start moving, make sure you choose activities that you enjoy, this will empower you to stay consistent and achieve the best results. Ensuring you have a supportive community and mentors is also essential, and that’s why our personal trainers at the New Orleans Athletic Club are here for you!