Need more motivation to exercise? It can be hard to convince yourself to get up early to work out, or to head to the gym after a long day at work. Losing weight and looking better is just one benefit of regular exercise, and it can be useful to keep the others in mind!

Here are a few more reasons to convince you to get your runners on…

You’ll have more energy. Regular exercise increases your overall energy levels over time, so you’ll feel brighter and stronger and able to get through your daily routines more easily. Improving your fitness helps to lower your chance of getting run down and developing fatigue or exhaustion. So even if you feel tired- get up and get moving! You’ll feel better afterwards.

Your sleep will improve. Many studies have shown that exercising can help to improve your quality of sleep. The main reason is that exercising (especially in the morning) can help to set your body clock, so your body learns to feel more awake during the day and tired at night. Exercise can also make your sleep deeper, so you will wake up feeling more refreshed.

Your brain will be sharp. Physical activity helps to keep your brain alert and active. Studies have demonstrated a clear link between regular exercise and mental performance, and in the long term, it can help to reduce your risk of cognitive decline or dementia in old age. Get in your daily workout and you’ll find it easier to concentrate, absorb and recall information and solve problems.

You’ll feel happier. Exercise releases endorphins, which make you feel good in the short term, and help to improve your overall mood in the long term. Exercise has long been used as a management strategy for mild to moderate depression. It helps you relax and feel more positive- and it can also help to improve your self-esteem, which can also improve your mood.

Your bones will be stronger. Exercising helps to stimulate your bones and keep them strong, helping you to get through all your daily activities more easily and prevent bone decay and conditions like osteoporosis later on in life. Adding in even just some light resistance training will help to give your bones a workout as well as your muscles.

You’ll live longer. Maintaining good fitness levels improves your overall health and can add years to your life. Not only that, but it can help to improve the quality of your life, and reduce your risk of disease or disability.

Your immune system will be stronger.  If you keep up a regular exercise routine, you’ll be less likely to get sick. Even just regular walking can help to strengthen your immune system and ward off common colds.

Your balance will improve. Working out can help to improve your sense of balance, especially activities that work to strengthen your core muscles, like yoga, pilates and even running. Being well balanced means that you can perform all of your daily movements more efficiently, and especially in older age, it can help to reduce your risk of falls and injury. 

You’ll have better sex. Frequent exercise has been linked to having a more enjoyable sex life. The main reason is that the more physical activity you do, the better your circulation and the more sensitive your body will be to sexual pleasure. It is also likely to improve your self-esteem and body image, which in turn also often improves people’s levels of sexual enjoyment.

You’ll have time to yourself. Putting aside time to exercise gives your mind a chance to unwind and just focus on yourself, away from the distractions and demands of work, family and social activities that otherwise keep you occupied throughout the day. This can be a great way to unwind and do something good for yourself that you might not otherwise prioritise.

You’ll be less stressed. Similarly, working out gives your mind a chance to zone out and your body the opportunity to release all the stress, frustration and other feelings that may have built up during the day. Studies have shown a clear link between regular exercise and better mental health, so you’ll be calmer, happier and more productive.