This month the American Heart Association celebrates Move More Month, and Firefly is joining in the fun. You may have already seen our social media posts on Monday about how we plan to celebrate. Firefly wants to know more about what makes you move, and wants to share information about the different forms of exercise. Throughout the month, we'll post a question every Monday for you to answer about things such as what inspires you to move, your favorite workout song, etc. Follow us on Facebook and join the conversation! Every Wednesday, learn the benefits of different forms of exercise and how to incorporate them into your daily life. Watch for our posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We all know that moving our bodies is good for our health, but did you know just how much regular exercise can affect you? Here are what we think are the top five benefits of physical activity:
Exercise Makes You Happy! – when you exercise, you produce endorphins, which are known to produce positive feelings. The part of the brain that regulates stress and anxiety changes when you exercise, and the brain becomes more sensitive to serotonin, sometimes called the happy chemical, because it contributes to wellbeing and happiness.
Builds and Maintains Strong Muscles and Bones - exercise releases hormones that promote the ability of your muscles to absorb amino acids, which helps them grow and reduces their breakdown. Exercise helps build bone density.
Increase Your Energy Level – when you are active, even if you suffer from chronic fatigue, you get a boost of energy.
Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Disease – lack of regular physical activity is a primary cause of chronic disease. Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular fitness, and decrease blood pressure and blood fat levels.
Improve Relaxation and Sleep Quality – getting enough restful sleep is crucial to our overall well-being. Exercise stimulates recuperative processes during sleep and improves sleep quality.
