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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Atlanta, GA | Posted: February 25, 2019
Delfina Booth
Marketing Intern
Summary Sentence:
Learn more about how regular exercise can benefit your health and well-being.
Full Summary:
Learn more about how regular exercise can benefit your health and well-being.
CRC BuildingWe all know that exercise is good for us, but how many of us know the actual mental and physical benefits? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults who perform 150-300 minutes (2.5 -5 hours) of moderate-intensity physical activity each week reap numerous physical, mental, and personal rewards. Don’t believe us, check out this list of reasons why you should exercise regularly from the CDC.
Exercise can reduce your risk of disease: According to the CDC, “Adults who are physically active are less likely to develop many chronic diseases.” This is true for a number of reasons, beginning with the fact that exercise works to strengthen your immune system, making you less likely to contract illness and more able to fight it off if you do. Regular exercise is good for the heart and assists circulation, which decreases your risk of heart diseases such as high cholesterol and coronary artery disease. Exercise can also lower blood sugar and regulate insulin production, which lessens your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Finally, psychical activity has been found to lower risks of certain cancers, such as colon, breast, uterine, and lung.
Exercise can be a great tool for your mental health and well-being: Regular physical activity can aid immensely in dealing with anxiety and depression. The proteins and chemicals released by the body during exercise can improve the structure and function of the brain, which helps your learning and judgment stay sharp. These chemicals also encourage the brain to relax and improve your mood.
Exercise helps to strengthen your bones and muscles: Regular physical activity builds up strong bones in kids and young adults and can slow the progression of bone loss later in life. Routine exercise, can build muscle mass and increase physical strength. These effects help make you a stronger and healthier person.
Exercise can improve your sleep: Exercise can help you fall asleep faster, as well as increase the amount of time you spend in deep sleep- the restorative sleep phase that boosts your immune system and cardiac health. The stress-reducing properties of exercise can also improve symptoms of common sleep disorders. Research has shown that exercise can be an effective long-term therapy for insomnia, as well as lower the severity of disordered breathing caused by sleep apnea.
It’s easier to incorporate exercise and enjoy these benefits then you think! To start, you can work to make your routine activities more active by walking to class instead of taking the bus, using the stairs instead of the elevator, and parking further away from your destinations. You can also check out this article to learn easy ways to increase your steps every day. Find things you can do even on days you’re tempted to take off, such as indoor workouts for rainy days, or lower-difficulty workouts for times when your energy is low.
The Campus Recreation Center (CRC) offers a number of resources to aid in your fitness journey. If you’re a solo exerciser, you can check out the CRC’s fitness machines, indoor and outdoor tracks, or pools. If you prefer more social activities check out the intramural and club sports program. For adventure seekers, check out one of the many outdoor recreation programs. If you’re not sure where to begin, consider getting a personal trainer or joining a group fitness course. Most importantly remember your fitness journey is a marathon not a sprint and don’t give up. You’ve got this! For more information about the CRC, visit crc.gatech.edu.
