When you’re feeling run down it’s hard to believe that exerting yourself actually gives you more energy, but here’s how it works.

When you exercise regularly your muscles adapt and increase in size, boosting your metabolism (fat burning) and stamina. Your heart and vascular system (which transports blood) also become more efficient, improving the delivery of energising oxygen that reaches your cells so you feel more awake. The more you exercise, the more efficient this process becomes and the more energy you have.

 

Besides all the energy boosting, exercise also increases your immunity and makes you feel good. Research has shown that exercise elevates serotonin levels to provide an instant lift. And when you feel good, you have the get up and go you need to complete your daily tasks. Just 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise has been shown to significantly improve both mood and energy levels. Aerobic exercises like running and fast walking, done in the morning, will rev you up for several hours.

 

For optimum energy boosting, try to work in 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day – that’s exercise where you move continuously, such as jogging or brisk walking. Choose an activity you enjoy as you are more likely to stick to it. You might enjoy walking or biking, swimming, dancing, gardening or ice skating. It doesn’t have to be an aerobics class that you go to at the gym; it can just be an everyday activity like walking.  Start at a comfortable speed and gradually increase the intensity after five minutes. You should break into a light sweat and be slightly breathless but not so breathless that you can’t hold a conversation.

 

When you feel fit enough, why not pile on the pressure? Sign up for a charity work or join a sports team. When you have a specific goal or other people are relying on you, you’re more likely to stick to your workouts.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 at 2:10 am and is filed under Exercise. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.