A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Most people think of exercise in the vigorous context. Gentle exercise has a very, very important role to play as well and be very beneficial. The following contributed post is entitled, The Benefits of Gentle Exercise.
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We all know that exercise is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle, but you don’t have to spend hours at the gym or run for miles in order to get results. In fact, gentle exercise can be a great way to achieve your fitness goals and overhaul your physical and emotional well-being. To learn more, take a look at some of the benefits of gentle exercise:
Weight Loss
If you’re aiming to lose weight, it’s easy to assume that you’ll need to do intense workouts to shed the pounds. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Studies have shown that exercising at a gentler pace can be as effective when it comes to losing weight. In addition to this, participants also saw an improvement in their cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings, which highlights just how much gentle exercise can impact your health.
Reduced Risk of Injury
Intense workouts tend to be a heavier impact, which can increase the risk of injury. Running can place a significant amount of stress on your joints, for example, which could cause an injury or exacerbate an on-going issue. In contrast, gentle exercise, such as yoga or Pilates, allows you to reap the benefits of working out while reducing your risk of being injured.
Increased Sociability
Exercise doesn’t have to be a solo activity. In fact, exercising with other people can help you to stay motivated and keep you accountable. Of course, it’s much easier to engage with others when you’re having a leisurely round of golf or taking a brisk walk than it is if you’re taking part in a spinning class or lifting heavy weights. By choosing to do gentle exercises, you can turn your workouts into a social activity and enjoy them all the more.
Lower Stress Levels
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for how your body reacts to stressful or dangerous situations, but it can also be triggered by intense exercise. Sometimes referred to as the ‘flight or fight response’, you’ll notice that your body mimics the physical effects of anxiety when you’re engaging in a strenuous workout. By switching to a gentler form of exercise, you can prevent this from happening while still gaining the health benefits associated with being active. As a result, you can enjoy a calmer and less stressful workout.
Motivation
If you’re struggling to stay motivated, the thought of undertaking a grueling workout can put you off exercising altogether. When you’re committed to doing gentle exercise, however, it’s far easier to stay motivated and keep to your routine. This means you can hit your fitness goals more quickly when you incorporate gentle exercise into your schedule.
Finding the Best Gentle Exercises
When it comes to gentle exercises, there are plenty of options to choose from. A brisk walk, a round of golf, or a leisurely bike ride are all great ways to boost your fitness, for example. Alternatively, yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates are great forms of gentle exercise that can enhance your physical and emotional well-being.
