The body is designed to move, exercise improves function to all body systems by delivering oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the cells of the body while also removing waste.
Let's discuss how movement helps restore the body and why it's important to include it into your healing program.
1. Relieves Stress
During exercise your body releases hormones called endorphins, which are referred to as the feel-good hormone. They reduce our perception of pain, improve mood and increase pleasure.
Exercise supports the brain and nerves by promoting positive behaviour, thoughts and action. It's wonderful for helping to alleviate depression, anxiety and improving your mind frame.
Stress is one of the root causes of disease, so finding ways to lower it is great for healing.
2. Cleanses your body
Exercise promotes toxins to leave our body through our skin when we sweat, it also stimulates the lymphatic system, which is the garbage disposal unit in your body.
Wherever there is a blood vessel you will find a lymphatic vessel next to it, ready to mop up the cellular waste, fluid, pathogens and infections.
You may not have heard of the lymphatic system before, but we've all experienced its presence when we've been sick. Sometimes lymph nodes become swollen as they fight infection and it's quite common to feel them in the neck, groin and armpits.
The lymphatic system does not have a pump (like the heart) to move waste around. Instead, it relies on muscle contractions to push it thought the body. Each time you exercise lymphatic waste is eliminated.
3. Good for your heart
The Heart Foundation says, "Regular physical activity makes you less likely to have a heart attack or develop heart disease". Do you seriously need any more reason to get moving?
Exercise improves the pumping capacity of your heart, so even at rest your heart pumps more efficiently.
4. Exercise oxygenates your body
One of the lesser known elimination channels in the body is the lungs. Each time you breath out, cellular waste (carbon dioxide CO2) is removed. Deep breathing during exercise improves oxygen flow and CO2 removal, which helps alkalise, detox and restore balance to the body.
5. You become stronger
Exercise stimulates muscle and bone growth, which is great news for reducing osteoporosis. Having strong muscles and bones will support joint function and reduce joint pain. It will also reduce your risk of falls and injuries.
6. Helps digestion and constipation
Exercise improves blood flow through the entire body, including the digestive tract.
Gentle twisting movements from yoga, swimming, walking etc., stimulates the digestive tract and assist food to pass through, reducing constipation.
What is the right type of exercise?
Finding your ideal exercise may take time, here are some of the safest and low impact ones you might consider:
- Swimming
- Walking
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Rowing machine
- Stationary bike
- Dancing
Exercise can be a great healing tool when done safely. Our goal is to increase our heart rate and work up a light sweat to get maximum benefits. After exercise, your body should feel invigorated and symptoms should not be aggravated.
Avoid excessively heavy exercise while healing, as it can stress the body too much, which will hurt your healing efforts. Stress is one of the root causes of disease, so we don't want to add to it!
Female athletes who push themselves to extremes, often lose their menstrual cycles, as their body is thrown out of balance.
Those suffering with joint pain, should avoid high impact exercise like running, that might further damage and inflame the joints.
Getting active can be fun and rewarding. If you have trouble getting started, then think about inviting a friend to join you and keep you motivated.
If you'd like to know more about my anti-inflammatory program and how it works to reverse disease and restore health, then send me a message, I'd be happy to help.