Have you ever wondered, “what is the fountain of youth?” Is it found in a bottle of skin cream, eating just the right foods, or obtaining sufficient sleep each night?
Even though all those things can certainly help in the quest for eternal youthfulness, probably one of the best-known explanations is staying active throughout our lives.
It’s no secret staying physically active keeps us looking, feeling, and even acting younger than we are. But why is that? There are many reasons why physical activity pays off big time in retaining that quality. You’re search for the fountain of youth is within each of us – turn off the TV or computer, get off the couch, put on your tennis shoes, and get moving.
Here are the many reasons staying active have a huge return on the investment of staying eternally youthful:
- Increases metabolism controlling body weight
Our metabolism is the rate at which the body uses energy just to keep us alive – from our heart beating, our respiration, nerve activity, hormonal regulation, and the number of calories we burn. All movement throughout the day adds up, and regular consistent exercise is vital to increasing metabolic rate, turning you into a calorie-burning machine. Therefore, you get to keep a healthy body weight meant for you throughout your life.
- Enhances flexibility
Never take your flexibility for granted. Maybe you never could do the splits or leap in the air touching your toes – that’s okay; few of us can. But maintaining good flexibility is critical to keeping your range of motion in play. Physical activities of brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or practicing yoga are all good at keeping you flexible, preventing you from becoming stiff and unmovable. Each night, stretch and bend to work out the kinks keeping your muscles toned and pliable, making life easier.
- Maintains independence
Maybe you’ve never thought of physical activity to maintain independence. But if you want to continue to do the activities you love, whether its gardening, golfing, walking, or staying busy with your family, staying active is a must. By keeping yourself fit, you’ll be able to enjoy a full, autonomous life.
- Reduces osteoporosis
If you have the brittle bone disease of osteoporosis, you may walk more gingerly and with extreme caution than usual. No one wants to fall and break a bone and osteoporosis makes the reality of it that much more likely. Osteoporosis affects millions of people, preventing them from participating in the pursuits they desire. This is why exercise – particularly weight-bearing – will help immensely to strengthen your bones, keeping osteoporosis at bay.
- Strengthens your immune system
Do you hate being sick? Then get out and move. Each time we engage our body in movement from walking, dancing, stretching, jogging, or swimming, we boost our immune system. From endorphins being released to our blood flowing vigorously through our veins, exercise is like a shot of just what your immune system needs to function at its best. As a result, people who exercise regularly tend to have less illness, and even if they do get sick, their bout with sickness is less intense, and they recover much quicker.
- Boosts your social life
Many people maintain their fitness levels by attending a gym or participating in some sort of exercise class. What a great way to get out and be social. Attending an exercise class expands your social network exposing you to different people and interests. Exercising our bodies gives us more confidence helping us to feel more at ease around others in getting to know them. Check out what your community offers regarding exercise classes, gym memberships, walking trails, or other group fitness activities.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.
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