Your body should be treated like a temple because there are no upgrades or trade-in options. Viewing your body as a temple is something we have absolutely no problem doing, but treating it as such is much more difficult. However, as we get older, we become more and more appreciative of what our body can do for us and because of this we are reminded of why – proper maintenance, regular attention and discipline – are so important. You only have one…that’s a fact.
New Years Resolution: Your Body & Immune System
Exercise
One of the best things to do is exercise. There are many underlying benefits of sweating and raising your heart rate. Some are seen right away and other develop over time. The increased heart-rate during exercise will burn the extra cortisol (stress hormone) and metabolize it. That way you feel less stress, in addition to the feel-good endorphins and serotonin that are released. I’ve seen many meme shirts that say, “I chose exercise over therapy sessions” and this is why it actually works.
Lungs
While you are exercising your lungs are getting stronger. When you do cardio, your brain sends signals to them to help you breathe faster and deeper, delivering extra oxygen to your muscles. More oxygen and blood to your muscles and organs results in an incredible healing power that has no adverse side effects. Working out activates growth-stimulating proteins in the brain that may help form new cells there as well.
Immunoglobulins
Your motivation is at its peak after a few short weeks. Thanks to a flood of endorphins, you feel energized. Exercise elevates your level of immunoglobulins, which are proteins that help bolster your immune system and ward off infection. Every sweat session you do can help strengthen your immune function for about 24 hours. Mood-enhancing chemicals, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, flood your brain for a couple of hours post-exercise. Your heart rate is lower. Thanks to regular workouts, your heart is pumping more efficiently. For instance, if your initial resting heart rate was 80 beats a minute, it will have dropped to 70 or lower. The less work your heart has to do, the healthier you’ll be!!
Diabetes & Cancer
The risk of diabetes goes down. The more you work out, the greater your sensitivity to insulin. That, in turn, lowers your blood sugar levels, reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes. You’ve cut your cancer risk. In a study of more than 14,800 women, those who had the highest levels of aerobic fitness were 55 percent less likely to die from breast cancer than those who were sedentary. Women considered moderately fit had about a 33 percent lower risk of developing the disease. Exercise may also help protect against endometrial, lung, and ovarian cancer, researchers say.
If any of these benefits hit home with you, try giving exercise a shot. Just walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes, 3 days a week is a great place to begin! Your health is in your control!