Physical activity
Sports are activities that involve some form of competition. They require physical activity and it helps its players stay fit and engaged. Sports offer plenty of benefits for the body. You may have better bone health or increased cardiovascular fitness. Studies show that being involved in sports leads to improved sleep.
Lowered stress levels
Physical activities also lead to positive well-being and lower levels of depression. Exercise positively impacts levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mental health. In fact, the body also releases endorphins which lead to less stress. Endorphins are known as the body’s natural painkillers.
This explains why working out or playing a sport can help individuals with anxiety. American Psychological Association reported, “When you engage in strenuous physical activity, you’re essentially mimicking the responses that can come with anxiety, allowing you to learn how to manage these responses and not be overwhelmed by them in other situations.”
Stress’ effect on the body
Long-term stress can lead to high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. APA also said, “Though research shows that while exercise spikes the stress response in the body, people experience lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine after bouts of physical activity.”
Exercise also gives the body a chance to practice dealing with stress. All of the body’s physiological are impacted when a person is exercising. In fact, they’re all involved in the stress response.
Our cardiovascular system communicates with the renal system, which communicates with the muscular system. All of these systems are controlled by the central and sympathetic nervous systems. Once your heart starts to pump faster, it increases the oxygen supply to your brain. Blood vessels start to change, which increases memory and self-control.
Better sleep schedule
People who partake in various physical activities may sleep faster. Exercise can reduce the time it takes for a person to fall asleep, and it can also lead to less use of sleep medication. Not only can exercise cause more rest, it can also decrease the risk of obesity. Obesity is a common factor in sleep apnea.
A study from the National Sleep Foundation found, “…about 52% said they exercised three or more times per week and 24% said they exercised less than once a week. Respondents in the latter group were more likely to sleep less than six hours per night, experience fair or poor sleep quality, struggle with falling and staying asleep, and receiving a diagnosis for a sleep disorder such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless legs syndrome.”
Diet and weight loss
A healthy diet can increase muscle and reduce body fat, regulate energy levels, and reduce the risk of illnesses or diseases. More physical activity can increases the number of calories you can potentially burn off. If you want to lose weight, you should focus on aerobic activities. You cannot estimate how long it’ll take to see progress because each person is different, but studies have proven that dieting can help lose fat.
Moderate activities like walking and bike riding with challenging activities like swimming laps and running can help lose weight.
