The Powerful Effects of Exercise on The Immune System

What if I told you that you could improve your immune system by exercising for as little as ten minutes a day, every day? 

Exercise positively impacts not only your muscles and body shape, but also your organs and bodily processes. This includes your immunity. 

In this post we’re diving into the effects of exercise on the immune system.

Let’s start with the brain. 

Do you love your brain? I’m sure you’d say, “Of course, Paola! I love and I need my brain.” 

Did you know that daily exercise positively affects your brain? Regular exercise can actually fight anxiety and depression. When you exercise, your brain produces ‘feel good’ chemicals called endorphins which reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and also help regulate hormones. Exercising daily may also help decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

What about your lungs? 

Another vital organ! 

Your lungs are hugely affected by exercise. Regular exercise helps the body use oxygen and remove carbon dioxide more efficiently. As you strengthen your lungs, you will be able to increase their oxygen capacity and exercise more. 

The benefits on the lungs also continue even if you’re not exercising. As your lungs get stronger, they get better at taking longer, deeper breaths. You’ll find that with regular exercise, your breathing rate will become slower, even at rest. 

The benefits of exercise reach your bone – literally! 

Did you know that after the age of 30 we all experience bone loss? 

Exercise, in particular weight-bearing exercise, helps both delay and slow this process, giving us stronger bones later in life.

Let’s talk about your heart now.

I always say to find a form of exercise you love with all your heart in order to be consistent. 

But here, I would like to be more specific. Regular exercise literally protects your heart because it strengthens the cardiovascular system. The stronger your heart becomes, the longer and harder you can work out. You are going to raise your good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. All of these contribute to increased longevity so you can live your life to the full for as long as possible.

Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to boost your metabolism. It supports regularity and reduces constipation. When we move our bodies, we stimulate the nervous system, helping the muscles in the gut to work more efficiently.

And while we’re talking about metabolism, the more you exercise, the better your Body Mass Index (BMI) and the higher your lean body mass. When you have a high lean body mass, you have a higher resting metabolic rate, and a faster metabolism. Having a faster metabolism can improve your mood, improve blood circulation, boost immunity, and improve your skin.

Your skin is your largest organ and it’s your first line of defence against bacteria. 

Regular exercise and increased metabolism decrease oxidative stress (what causes signs of aging), increase circulation and oxygenation of the skin cells, keeping the skin detoxed and healthy, and looking its best.

A strong immune system is a great asset, especially now. 

It helps us prevent infection and recover quickly when faced with things as simple as the common cold to more complex and dangerous like COVID-19. Regular moderate exercise can boost immune function keeping you healthy.

Regular exercise regulates more than just your metabolism. In fact, regular exercise can regulate your hormones. In turn, this reduces the risk of various cancers including breast, prostate, and colon cancer. 

Exercising frequently can also increase sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that helps your body use glucose. This helps those affected by Type 1 Diabetes, helps those with Type 2 Diabetes reverse their condition, and it helps everyone to regulate their blood sugar and keep it at healthy levels.

The benefits of regular exercise even extend to the bedroom, with women who exercise showing heightened sexual desire and greater satisfaction. 

Sleep is affected, too. 

Just ten minutes of exercise can enhance sleep by tiring you out and raising your body temperature. When your temperature naturally declines, this will trigger sleepiness.

If you want to experience these benefits yourself, make yourself a promise to exercise for at least ten minutes per day.

If you need more accountability and expertise, you can find exercise for every body at Shapes Studio, so sign up for some Shapes classes or contact us to find out what more we can do to get you feeling your best. 

Your body will thank you for it!