6 Changes Your Body Goes Through Once You Start Working Out

As you may already know, exercise is beneficial regardless of the age at which you start working out. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Exercise is the best gift you can give yourself”. But, have you ever wondered the reason behind those words? Regular exercise is known to enhance bodily functions and prevent many illnesses, including heart diseases.

While much has been said about the benefits of exercising, the changes your body goes through are often overlooked. If you’ve fallen off the wagon or have been considering starting a workout, here are six surprising changes that will motivate you to hit the gym:

• Your Brain Functions More Efficiently

When you start working out, your heart rate increases. This leads to an increase in the blood flow to the brain. This makes the brain aware of the body going through some physical activity, making it more active. According to a recent study at the University of Columbia, exercising increases the size of the hippocampus, a part of the brain associated with memory and learning.

• Uplifts Your Mood

It is said that exercise is the best antidepressant. When you start exercising, your brain releases chemicals like adrenaline, dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These chemicals play an important role in your emotional responses. You start feeling more happy and cheerful even after a few minutes of exercise.

• You Feel Energized

Exercise aids in the transport of oxygen and nutrients within your body tissues and improves the heart rate. This helps your body generate more energy. Mitochondria, the energy powerhouses within our body, work to produce energy. Since working out demands more energy, the body produces more mitochondria to meet the requirements. So, the more you work out, the more energized your body will feel.

• The Blood Flow in your Body Increases

As stated earlier, exercising increases heart rate, which improves the blood flow in your body.  When you exercise, the blood vessels in your muscles dilate, resulting in an increase in the blood flow. This makes the working muscles receive more oxygenated blood.

• You Start Sleeping Better

Studies show that people suffering from insomnia can benefit from working out regularly. They could fall asleep sooner and for a longer duration. Exercise contributes to a good night’s sleep since the tiredness you feel after working out makes you want to sleep sooner. This, in turn, balances your sleep-wake cycle as well.

• Your Confidence Level Boosts Up

Your confidence has a direct connection with how you feel and think about yourself. When you start with any physical activity, you take that as an achievement. It makes you feel like you have included something good in your daily life routine which boosts your confidence. Psychologically, exercising affects you by eliminating the negative thoughts in your mind. You start looking good and feel more confident that way.

Exercising can only get the best out of you. Anyone at any age can start exercising and it will only reap rewards for the rest of their lives. It enhances the quality of life and adds positivity. If you haven’t yet started exercising, then start today and experience the wonders it does for you!