The common assumption is that exercising or working out saps the body’s energy levels. We might feel more tired after going for a jog or cycling. However, if experts are to be believed, engaging in regular exercises, does exactly the opposite.
In other words, the more you exercise, the better your energy levels become. Exercising not only helps the body become fitter and healthier, but it is also great for your mental health and brain activity. Engaging in physical activities is great for both the body as well as the mind.
In this article, we are going to list down some exercises that can play a key role in increasing your energy levels. However, before we get to the list of exercises, let us first try to understand what happens to our body when we engage in physical fitness-related activities.
The Effects of Exercising on a Body’s Physical and Mental Well-Being
You might be wondering how the human body can feel more energized after a heavy session of physical fitness or working out. According to leading scientists, exercises help in affecting changes in a human being’s cells.
Let us look at two main functions that take place in our body from a physical perspective-
1. Increase in Production of Mitochondria
Studies have found that when we exercise, the body is forced to produce more mitochondria. If you are familiar with elementary Biology, you will remember that the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. In other words, more mitochondria means more fuel for the cells.
2. Better Oxygen Flow to Every Part and Organ of the Body
Secondly, working out helps in improving oxygen flow and circulation to different parts of the body. More oxygen plays a role in both improving the production of mitochondria, as well as in allowing body parts and organs to gain more oxygen.
While the above are direct physical benefits that help the body to function more efficiently, the impact of exercising on mental health cannot be ignored.
Exercises help the brain produce happy/positive hormones called endorphins. This is a mood-altering hormone that makes you feel positive, happy, and satisfied. The more you can naturally produce endorphins, the better your mental health will be.
This is why all the good recovery programs on drug addiction suggest physical activities as part of the process. To know more in this regard, please use this link.
List of 7 Exercises that Increase Your Energy Levels
1. Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises have for a very long-time formed part of the exercise regimen of some of the leading athletes in the world. The simple act of intentionally inhaling and exhaling, holding your breath, and training your body’s respiration can go a long way in helping you feel relaxed and energized. This can help you build your core and improve the flow of oxygen in the body.
2. Walking Briskly
If you are someone that does not want to get into heavy running just yet, you can always walk briskly. Walking at a pace helps increase your heart rate as well as increase your breathing. Walking allows you to work out different parts of your body. Your core benefits significantly, along with your hips and lower body torso. This is something that can be done for an hour.
3. Skipping Rope
There is a reason why some of the world’s best athletes swear by skipping rope. While the same might look simple enough, it is enough to work out your core, help in strengthening the body’s abdomen, and improve the functioning of your legs. You do not even need a skipping rope. You can simply jump anywhere you like. Do 30 jumps every day and see the difference.
4. Zumba, Jazzercise, etc
The positive effects of music on the brain have been well-documented. Now combine that with high-intensity training and you have a recipe for success on your hands. The past few years have seen Zumba, Jazzercise, and other training regimens that have a strong emphasis on music come up and become successful. This is a fun-filled and exciting way to keep yourself healthy.
5. Yoga
Most of us are aware of the benefits of Yoga for the mind and the body. Yoga helps in improving each aspect of our body. It helps in building flexibility, addresses the problems of the core, works to improve digestion, aids in sleep, and helps maintain positive mental health. Yoga is not as easy as it looks, and you need to do it to figure out how tough it really is.
6. Cycling
The culture of cycling started taking off when the pandemic hit. People are taking to cycling like never before. Not only is this a great opportunity of being close to like-minded individuals, but it also helps in increasing energy levels in the body. Cycling allows your entire body to get a strenuous workout. It develops the abdominal muscles as well as the lower and upper torso.
7. Weight and Strength Training
Weight training is being increasingly recommended by healthcare and fitness professionals. Lifting weights according to a prescribed plan of action helps in building muscle strength, improves the conditioning of the bones and other connective tissue. This helps you improve strength, conditioning, and building mental health. However, guidance should be taken.
The Bottom Line
While exercising regularly can help you increase your energy levels, you also need to ensure the kind of diet you are consuming. Eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other drugs can help you keep your body in proper shape and fitness.
Make sure that you are eating a lot of fruits, nuts, and vegetables in your diet. Try to keep your body hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Experts also suggest that sticking to a daily set sleeping routine helps the body recover and regenerate better.
If you have any other doubts, or queries that you would like us to address on the topic, please feel free to reach out in the comments below. We would be happy to take up as many of your problems and answer them as possible.
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