Regular exercise is one of the most important lifestyle habits for optimal health and well-being. Not only does exercise help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, but it improves immune function and mental, cardiovascular, and metabolic health.
Regarding a functional medicine healthcare approach, exercise is considered essential. It addresses many of the root causes of prevalent chronic illnesses and health concerns in today’s society. By making exercise a regular part of your daily routine, you’ll reap the mental and physical benefits of improved health and well-being. We know you have plenty on your plate, and incorporating exercise might feel daunting. We’re here to cheer you on, both in our Tulsa functional medicine office and online, so we’re sharing ideas on how to exercise more.
Reasons to Exercise More from a Functional Medicine Perspective
The benefits of exercise are undeniable. It enhances mental and physical health. Because functional medicine often references the mind-body connection when identifying the root cause of patients’ health concerns, any practitioner will tell you how to exercise more to help enhance your well-being.
We wanted to share a reminder of the undeniable benefits of exercise. Benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Enhanced immune function: Exercise improves immune function by increasing circulation, promoting the production of white blood cells, and reducing inflammation in the body. Learning how to exercise more may also help reduce the risk of infections, such as colds and flu.
- Boosted mental health: Exercise is a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and promoting a sense of well-being. Regular physical activity increases the production of endorphins, which are natural mood-boosters and may also improve cognitive function and memory.
- Increased cardiovascular health: Learning how to exercise more strengthens your heart muscle, which maintains good cardiovascular function and reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It can even help with metabolic syndrome.
- Promotes metabolic health: Exercise regulates blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. Regular physical activity improves cholesterol levels and helps reduce the risk of metabolic health complications.
How to Exercise More: Tips to Get You Moving
If you want to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine, starting small by incorporating new exciting activities is crucial. Committing to exercises that excite you stacks the odds of success in your favor so you’ll keep your new routine and reap the rewards.
Here are some ideas to keep in mind when learning how to exercise more.
- Put it on the calendar: Blocking out time makes it harder to say you have too much to do. Dedicating time three to five times a week (and actually showing up) helps you make exercise a habit. Even better, as you start noticing the rewards, it’ll become non-negotiable.
- Take it one step at a time: Don’t overwhelm yourself. It’s okay to start by walking around your neighborhood and work yourself up to a more rigorous regimen. Also, if you’re setting goals for weight loss or muscle mass, begin with small goals so you can start experiencing wins faster.
- Make it a treat, not a chore: When you find the right form of exercise, you can’t wait to get to it. Even if you’re having a day where you might want to check out, you’ll know that on the other end of the workout, you’ll be glad you invested the time in your health.
- Get outside: Hate the gym? Spending time outside is a great option when considering how to exercise more. Walking or jogging around a park is a great way to get your heart pumping. You might even live near a park with workout stations nearby. An added health benefit is getting more sunlight, which regulates melatonin production and boosts your immune system.
- Mix it up: Take a class, get outside, grab a friend, hire a trainer: keeping your workouts interesting is crucial for supporting consistency when considering how to exercise more. You can mix up the types of exercise to ensure a full-body, multi-system workout. Cardio, resistance, and weight training – they all contribute to a stronger, healthier you!
When You’re Ready for More Exercise and Need Support
At Functional Nutrition Resources in Tulsa, we believe that exercise is an essential component of a holistic approach to health and well-being. In fact, many health issues are drastically reduced, or even eliminated, by lifestyle changes including exercise.
We’ve helped hundreds of patients embrace the big picture of the amazing miracle that is their immune and health systems. While exercise is a crucial component, it co-exists with a complex network of other considerations such as nutrition, mental health, and genetic factors that affect your overall health. That’s why at Functional Nutrition Resources, we’re here to help you incorporate exercise into your life, through an empowering and step by step process that cultivates authority in the client through our team’s guidance.
What we offer is so much more than exercise tips: we offer legacy health choices and if you’re ready to shift into a more vital you, we invite you to get started by watching a free webinar here.
