Why Exercise Is Crucial When You Are Over 40

The misconception that exercise should only be done in order to lose weight has had many people stuck on their couches. Only the thought of going to the gym can make one feel extremely demotivated and frustrated. Exercise is directly linked to disappointment, exhaustion, and aching muscles.

When you reach a certain age, you are likely to feel better about your body’s appearance, regardless of your weight or shape. Exercise may become something of the past since most 40+-year-olds have accepted the state their bodies are in.

But the truth is that exercise is actually more important than ever when you reach a mature age.  Yes, moving your body helps you lose weight, and it speeds up the burning of fat and calories. But most importantly, exercise helps maintain a healthy body.

Prevents Heart Disease

Doing cardiovascular exercises 3-4 times weekly will lower the risk of heart disease. Cardio exercises include running, jogging, walking, swimming, and cycling. All these exercises keep the heart pumping, which, in effect, strengthens your heart muscles.

To benefit from a cardio exercise, you should at least break a sweat. Walk at high speed for at least 30 minutes and push yourself to achieve optimum heart health.

Arthritis Fighting

As we age, our risk of developing arthritis is much higher. If you’ve suffered a joint injury in your life or if you are overweight, you are more likely to develop chronic stiffness of joints and joint pain.

If you want to prevent joint pains and aches, you should do regular strength training. Deadlifts, Squats, Dips, Pushups, and dumbbell exercises will help strengthen muscles and will decrease your chances of developing chronic joint pain and even arthritis.

It’s Good For Your Mental Health

Exercising releases happy chemicals in your brain named Endorphins. Among other benefits, Endorphins help you cope with mental illness and anxiety. Studies show that Physical activities like Yoga and Pilates decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.

If you feel tense and overwhelmed, you can enroll in a relaxing Yoga session that doesn’t only help with strength building but also teaches you breathing and calming exercises.

Having a healthy mind is not only as valuable as maintaining a healthy body, but the two are strongly connected.

Helps With Back Pain

Many individuals start suffering from back pain in their later 30s. It is vital to work out if you want to strengthen your back muscle, which is crucial to decreasing back pain.

A great example of a back exercise is planking and other core strengthening exercises. A plank is an easy exercise where you are flat on the ground. Support your body weight with only your feet and your elbows. Your back should be kept straight, and you should try and keep this pose for 90 seconds. Make sure that you tighten your core.

Fight Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition where the skeletal bones become brittle and can fracture or break easily. Every one in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Exercise is critical to help keep your bones strong and durable.

Consuming foods with high levels of calcium also helps fight osteoporosis. It has also been proven that weight training and high-impact training further help develop and maintain healthy bones.

Increases Energy Levels

Have you ever noticed that when you take many afternoon naps and sleep too many hours a night that you start feeling extremely lazy and loopy? That’s because exercise increases your energy levels. The more you do, the more you can get done.

Regular exercise will make you feel energetic and motivated.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Burning calories and fat is part of exercising. When you combine it with a healthy menu, regular exercise will help you lose weight. Although weight loss is a great excuse to start exercising regularly, it shouldn’t be the only reason why you work out.

It’s vital to your health to get moving. Making sure you engage in physical exercise at least five times a week will have positive effects on your health. As well as ensure a longer, healthier life.

Always remember that exercise shouldn’t bring you feelings of anxiety and demotivation. It is best to find activities that you enjoy doing, whether it’s dancing, playing tennis, hiking, or swimming a few laps in the swimming pool. As long as you stay active, you are more likely to live a long healthy life.