Exercise is recommended to treat and prevent all sorts of conditions. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular and respiratory health, reduce stress, and improve movement. Exercise can also get you out of your fatigue funk.
You may think, “How can I exercise if I’m tired?” But the key is to push through the tiredness so you can start feeling energized once again.
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To start, if you haven’t exercised in a while, you should start off slow. First, speak to your doctor about any possible limitations you may have regarding exercise. A good beginning place is to go for daily walks and furthering your walking distance each time. From there, you can begin to incorporate other forms of exercise including yoga, swimming, cycling, or resistance training. It’s all about finding an exercise you enjoy so you stick with it.
Exercise promotes energy because it makes your heart stronger. A stronger heart means more oxygenated blood can travel through your body. Furthermore, exercise promotes stronger muscles and stronger muscles mean you can perform daily tasks with greater ease. Lastly, exercise can improve your sleep and we all know that a good night’s sleep is the key to feeling refreshed and energized.
When exercising, listening to your body is a big factor. Although pushing yourself is important to create change and progress, pushing yourself beyond your limits could be a huge setback as it can result in injury. If your muscles are aching, you’re sweating more, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to breathe, then you need to slow down or stop altogether before something more serious occurs. If you don’t begin to feel better after you have stopped, then speak to your doctor about any health problems which could be limiting your abilities. You may have to modify your routine to better suit your needs.
Another way that exercise makes you feel more energized is by what some call an “exercise high.” When you exercise, endorphins are released, which can cause a feeling of euphoria several hours after you are done exercising. To achieve this exercise high, experts suggest working at around 75 percent of your maximum heart rate for at least 30 minutes. (To uncover your maximum heart rate simply subtract your age from 220). Experiencing this exercise high can also keep you addicted to exercising as it makes you feel good. Just ensure you aren’t overdoing it as it could leave you feeling more fatigued, and that defeats the purpose.
Also read: Improve your energy levels in 2018
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
