Being able to move my body whether by walking, swimming, weight lifting, running, biking or other means of physical exercise has a number of benefits. One of the most important is it improves my mental health. Any type of exercise greatly lowers anxiety and lessens depression. A mile swim makes me feel much better physically as well as mentally. My outlook on life is always better after exercise. It doesn’t have to be strenuous or done for a long duration. Studies show low or moderate intensity exercise is enough to make a difference in terms of your mood and thinking patterns. Exercise releases feel good chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that lift your mood. It can also help to remove you from isolation and open opportunities for social interaction.

Exercise especially in the morning can improve the quality of your sleep and reduce stress. While exercise is good for cardiovascular health one of the unknown but powerful benefits is what it can do for the quality of your life by lowering anxiety and lifting your mood. Exercise for me is a blessing and it is not viewed as a chore or something that has to be done but rather it is a privilege that not everyone can do. So live life to the fullest and put some movement into your daily life.