4 Benefits of Exercising During Lockdown

Although in some nations lockdowns are easing, others are still under complete or partial lockdown. Staying cooped up at home without much human interaction can be physically and mentally stressful. Therefore, if you’re still under a lockdown, you should consider engaging in regular exercise for physical health.

It may seem difficult to maintain physical activities and mental exercise at home in the absence of proper facilities and equipment. However, you can risk hampering your health in the long-run if you ignore your wellbeing. Read on to learn more about the many benefits of physical activity that will inspire you to ditch the couch and don your workout clothes.

The importance of exercise for physical and mental health management

Although most of us associate physical exercise with weight loss or body-building, there are many other primary and secondary benefits associated with regular exercise. Here are four important advantages of regular engagement in physical exercise – even after lockdown ends. 

Immune system

Exercise has a host of positive impacts on the immune system. According to a study by the University of Valencia, frequent physical activity can limit and delay ageing of the immune system. Other than the long-term effects, even a small amount of exercise can increase the production of natural killer cells in the body – these cells make up the immune system’s second line of defence. Exercising can also improve lymphatic drainage that can remove toxins and boost the body’s ability to fight off infections.

The mind

Exercise can shake off your gloominess or mental stress. Regular physical activity stimulates the production of hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin which are essential for stabilising our moods. Increased levels of serotonin and dopamine can create a sense of happiness and wellbeing, and increased oxytocin levels promote social connections and bonding with other people. Stretching exercises can also be relaxing as they can turn off our fight or flight response by reducing adrenaline production temporarily.

Productivity and creativity

If you’re feeling uninspired, engaging in physical exercise can boost your creativity and productivity almost instantaneously. According to a recent study by Stanford University, creative output increases by 60% when you are moving, as opposed to when you are sedentary. Incorporating physical activity into your daily regiment can do wonders for your office work, especially if you are working from home.

Cardiovascular fitness

Regular boosts to your heartbeat due to physical exercise can be extremely beneficial for the long-term health of your heart. It can lower your blood pressure, lead to healthier cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by almost 50%.

Even if you are forced to stay home during the lockdown, there are plenty of ways to start exercising. There are hundreds of apps and videos online that can teach you simple cardiovascular or strength training routines that you can easily follow at home. If you love group activities, there are many resources that allow you to pair up with your friends and exercise together. Another added benefit of regular exercise is increased appreciation of your overall health and wellbeing. 

You can increase the efficiency of your exercise routines by reading up more on health management or pursuing a course in this area. The Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) offers a great MSc in International Health Management that will give you access to an international community of healthcare students, scholars and health management professionals. In addition, it can also pave the way for a successful health management career if you are interested in the subject professionally. Click here to get more information . 

 

This article was written by Sweha Hazari and edited by Anisa C.

 

 

 

 

 


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