You’ll find it hard to come by someone who doesn’t know the importance of exercise. In today’s world, exercise, along with a healthy diet and social relationships, is recognised as one of the key pillars of health. Yet most of us work sitting at a desk all day and exercise often gets put to the bottom of our growing to do lists.

The time for change and positive transformation is always now. Here are some of the ways exercise can make your life better.

Physical benefits

For those struggling to make progress in life towards their aspirations, a lack of exercise could be part of the problem. After all, exercise does wonders to increase energy levels, improve brain function, enhance your immune system, and reduce the risk of disease, including cancer.

Exercise improves both the strength and the efficiency of your cardiovascular system to get the oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. It also increases blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain, along with releasing more hormones that boost concentration levels and cognitive ability.

With these improvements, life doesn’t feel so lethargic and energy is in much greater supply. You’re ill less often and have more time to focus on the things that really matter to you. With the physical and psychological benefits of regular exercise, working towards your goals doesn’t seem like the impossible mountain you once thought it was.

Psychological benefits

Exercise’s ability to help you sleep, improve mood, and reduce both anxiety and depression are well documented. But other more subtle transformations aren’t given enough attention.

Many of us have built up collective beliefs over the years about what we can and can’t do. We may want to try new sports or activities but the voices in our heads say things like, ‘there’s no way I could do that’ or ‘exercise just isn’t for me’. These inner voices are often powerful and can hold us back in many other aspects of life too.

When someone with these self-critical voices goes ahead and starts to make exercise a part of their lives, they break free from self-doubt and are filled with more confidence. Suddenly, they’re no longer gripped as hard by their collective beliefs and they can begin to make more positive choices in life.

This transformation process is happening to thousands of people every day, from all walks of life. It’s never too late to start exercising, restart a sport you used to love, or even try one you’ve always wanted to give a go. Whatever your choice, know that the physical and psychological effects of regular exercise can literally transform your life.

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