Fitness

7 benefits of regular physical activity by the Staff at Mayo Clinic

You know exercise is good for you—but do you know how good? From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.

The merits of regular physical activity—from preventing chronic health conditions to promoting weight loss and better sleep—are hard to ignore. And the benefits are yours for the taking, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing? Check out seven specific ways exercise can improve your life.

Need to blow off some steam after a full day of classes? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk or bike ride on the Monterey Bike Path can help you calm down.

Physical activity stimulates positive endorphins that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out. Regular exercise will also help you look and feel better, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Regular physical activity can even help prevent depression.

Stress due to busy schedules, heavy course loads or other personal issues can lead to stress eating and lack of energy. If you want to deal with stress and other issues that are causing you to gain weight then it is time for some physical activity.

When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn—and the easier it is to keep your weight under control. You don't even need to set aside major chunks of time for working out. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk during your lunch break. Do jumping jacks during commercials. Better yet, turn off the TV and take a brisk walk. Dedicated workouts are great, but physical activity you accumulate throughout the day helps you burn calories, too.

No gym membership? No problem! In Monterey you have easy access to a myriad of inexpensive outdoor activities: running trails, biking, walking along the beach.

Do you get winded by simple activities like grocery shopping or walking up a flight of stairs? Don’t be discouraged—regular physical exercise will help improve your stamina and leave you breathing easier.

Physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. Regular physical activity helps your entire cardiovascular system work more efficiently. When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.

A good night's sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. Physical activity can help you regulate and improve your sleep patterns. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep.

Are you too tired to have sex? Or feeling too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Physical activity to the rescue!

Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women, and men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than men who don't exercise — especially as they get older.

Physical activity doesn't have to be drudgery. Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a local climbing wall or hiking trail. Go sailing, kayaking, or learn to scuba dive. Take your kids on a paddle boat at Dennis the Menace Park. Check out sports equipment from the Office of Student Services and organize a day of activities with your friends. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and go for it. If you get bored, try something new