Dr. Brown Shares His Top 10 Benefits of Exercise

“Every day in my practice, I see a lot of people suffering from different types of pain and other health problems. I believe that they would benefit tremendously from regular exercise. If you aren’t already an athlete, exercise may be a hard habit to adopt but it’s worth the effort in so many ways. Here are my top 10 benefits I want my patients to enjoy,” said Dr. Brown,  your local Greenville chiropractor for over 3 decades.

• Cardiovascular Health: Whether running, swimming, biking, using gym equipment like elliptical machines, or simply brisk walking, aerobic exercise is beneficial for lungs, heart and circulation and can prevent stroke or heart attack.
• Joint and Muscle Benefit: The health and function of knees, back, ankles, feet and the associated soft tissue— including muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves—can be improved through proper exercise.
• Bone Strength: Proper usage of bones through exercise increases absorption of essential calcium into bones, preventing osteoporosis (disease that weakens the bones) and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Exercise can keep your bones healthy and reduce the risk of a fracture.
• Stress Relief: Challenging exercise creates endorphins (natural painkillers and relaxants). Exercise can help you temporarily forget problems. Fatigue can cause you to relax and even sleep better.
• Psychological Factors: Performing challenging exercises and accomplishing workout goals can improve your outlook and self-image. In addition, some studies suggest that regular exercise can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• An Ability to Eat More: One “side effect” of challenging exercise and associated caloric burn is being able to ingest more (hopefully healthy) food. The more you exercise the more fuel your body will require to recover after a workout and maintain your energy.
• Anti-Aging: Exercise can slow aging that is exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle. Research shows exercise helps brain function and stimulates brain cell growth. Moreover, regular exercise may help to prevent a broad array of chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.
• Weight Loss: Calories burned during exercise should eventually lead to weight loss, which is likely to reduce your risk of high blood pressure, poor cholesterol, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, many cancers and a host of other health problems.
• Social Interaction and Competition: Challenging oneself may lead to a desire to share newfound fitness with others. Exercise is easier when you can share it! It can be more fun and minimize the work aspect when you work out with friends.
• Improved Appearance: Not only can exercise help you shed stubborn pounds but it can improve muscle and skin tone. Exercise also can boost your confidence which can radiate attractive self-assurance.