7 Reasons Why Doing Cardio Is Best For Your Health

Cardio is defined as any type of exercise that gets your heart rate up and keeps it up for a prolonged period of time. Your respiratory system will start working harder as you begin to breathe faster and more deeply. ... The physical and mental benefits of this type of exercise are seemingly endless.

cardio is one of the best and most popular types of exercises people perform. However, a lot of people also despise cardio in any form. Even though you may not find the physical activity of cardio enjoyable, it has a lot of major health benefits, discover a few reasons to start doing cardio.

Helps In Weight Loss

One of the main reasons why people adopt a cardio exercising routine is because it can help you lose weight. Cardio is a great exercise for those looking to slim down because it helps you burn fat and lose calories. While diet is more instrumental in weight loss, you will want to work cardio into your routine to further advance your goal to shed a few pounds. This is because cardio can burn hundreds of calories in a session.

Mood

Our moods fluctuate on a daily basis but staying active helps boost your mood, especially after a stressful day. So next time you’re feeling stressed or you’re having an off day, get to moving your body.

“Not only that, but it combats depression, improves your self-esteem and releases tension-fighting hormones like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine,” says Dr. Van Iterson.

Strengthens your immune system

Wanna beat cold season? You’re in luck. According to a 2020 review, regular exercise is beneficial for the immune system.

Getting your workout on also helps keep your blood cells and cytokines (a type of proteins) healthy. Both of these components are key to immune system regulation.

Researchers think certain types of cancer may even improve as a result of exercise — but that research is still inconclusive. Plus, the authors of another 2020 review speculate that regular exercise could even help prevent COVID-19 infections.

While the jury’s still out on whether getting physical can really stave off cancer or COVID-19, it certainly seems to support a healthy immune system.

Naturally Boosts Energy

It is quite common for people to consume energy drinks and coffee throughout the day to stay alert. Other people can’t get through a day without taking a long nap. But these methods can be harmful to your health if you overdo them. A healthier option is cardio exercise. It can naturally boost your energy, which is why many people start their day off with some cardio in the early hours of the morning. When our body goes through an activity that requires energy, such as running, it releases endorphins. These increased endorphin levels, in turn, boost our energy.

Better Sleep

Many professionals recommend you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night; however, a lot of people do not accomplish this. This results in low energy that can make the day a huge pain to get through. For many, good sleep is difficult to come by simply because it’s hard to fall asleep. When you add cardio to your lifestyle, you will begin to experience a higher quality of sleep. With cardio as part of your day, you’re sure to feel tired come the evening, which is right before going to bed. In turn, this will make it far easier to get in bed and fall asleep at a reasonable hour.

Gives your brain a boost

Cardio: It’s not just for your body but also for your brain. Exercise is associated with reduced cognitive decline, sharper memory, and better brain performance.

According to a 2013 review, regular exercise like cardio can help protect your brain from cognitive decline that may otherwise begin around age 45.

Getting your workout on also boosts chemicals that support the hippocampus, which is your noggin’s center of memory and learning.

Strengthens Your Heart

Cardiovascular relates to the heart and blood cells, so when you perform a cardio exercise such as running or biking, you strengthen your heart. This is due to the fact that cardio exercise makes your heart rate accelerate and properly pump blood. As a result, this strengthens your heart, which is arguably one of the most important organs of your body.