Living a healthy life can mean a lot of things for many people. Since every one of us is unique in what we enjoy doing, a healthy lifestyle can be described simply by doing the things that make you feel good — both on the inside and out.
For some, this means getting outside every morning for a run with some friends. For others, this could mean turning up the music and getting a heavy lifting session in at the gym.
Follow along as we uncover the top 3 benefits of living a healthy life and how Kinesiologists and Athletic Therapists can make a positive impact on your journey to better health and well-being.
3 Benefits of Living a Healthy Life
When it comes to living a healthier lifestyle, exercise is a simple way to make this happen. Here are 3 incredible benefits you’ll experience when you start to move your body!
- You’ll improve your mood
Did you know that exercise has a direct effect on your brain’s chemistry?! In only a single 30-minute bout of exercise, you’ll alter the levels of stress hormones, endorphins, and feel-good hormones such as serotonin to help you feel amazing!
If you’ve ever experienced a “runner’s high”, you know exactly what we mean here.
No matter if you’re running a marathon, lifting weights, or walking your dog, all types of physical activities can increase the production of serotonin to help make you feel more emotionally stable, calmer, and happier!
- You’ll decrease your risk of illness or disease
So many aspects of a healthy lifestyle can aid in the prevention of certain illnesses, diseases, and health conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is a proven method to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and many types of cancers.
Exercise helps to:
- Increase blood flow to boost levels of oxygen transport to working muscles
- Strengthen the heart muscles, making it easier to pump blood throughout the body to reduce blood pressure
- Improve insulin sensitivity (the hormone that allows blood sugar to enter our cells) to help give us energy
- Control for high cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- You’ll have more energy
Feeling energetic is an essential aspect to experiencing happiness. When we have energy, we have greater focus, mental clarity, and are more willing to take on tasks without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Exercise is one of the best ways to get that boost of energy to help you take on the day ahead. According to Harvard Health, exercise creates a myriad of positive changes on the cellular level that contribute to energy production. Ultimately, this can help our muscles, tissues, and brain work more efficiently.
How Kinesiology and Athletic Therapy Can Help You Live a Healthy Life
When it comes to engaging in a physically active lifestyle, past injuries, joint immobility, and muscle weakness can all make it incredibly challenging for individuals to get in their regular exercise.
That’s where physical therapy experts come in!
Kinesiologists and Athletic Therapists are both movement and rehabilitation specialists who are committed to providing patients with an optimal level of function and the utmost quality of life.
Here are some of the ways physical therapy can help you engage in a more active lifestyle:
Pain Relief
When it comes to pain, the goal of physical therapy is to address all underlying issues (i.e.determine the muscle groups and affected tissues involved, identify what is weak or stiffness, etc.) create an individualized plan to alleviate the pain, and continue to develop more strength and mobility to help prevent future pain or injury.
Both kinesiologists and athletic therapists are trained to identify and address symptoms of pain due to surgery, sports injuries, car accidents, and so much more.
Better Balance
Balance is an essential part of activity. No matter if you’re going out for a walk or trying a new spin class, having balance to produce smooth and controlled movement patterns can help reduce the risk of injury.
Physical therapy is effective in addressing balance issues to help patients improve their movement mechanics and prevent future falls.
Improved Mobility
Immobility can be caused by a wide range of factors. From injuries to arthritis and even lack of use, joint and muscle immobility can make daily activity both challenging and uncomfortable.
Kinesiologists and athletic therapists use a range of active rehab and manual techniques to improve your range of motion. Combined with a strength-based program, patients are more likely and willing to take on new activities that they never thought were possible before.
Enhanced Daily Function
Living a life free from pain, immobility, or weakness can help individuals feel more confident and capable in their day-to-day living.
As you work with your physical therapy specialist on an individualized treatment plan, you’ll gain the fundamental skills to help boost your endurance, strength, flexibility, and so much more!
The Bottom Line
Living a healthy, active lifestyle is a commitment to yourself that you’re willing to prioritize your well-being above all else. If you’re not feeling your best, you won’t have the capacity to make an impact on the world around you.
What’s important to remember about living a healthy life is that it’s more about balance than anything else. When it comes to exercise, this is especially true.
If you’re not sure where to get started, we can help! Book an appointment with Wildewood Health today to start your journey to optimal health and well-being.
