Exercise is a core component of good health and well-being. It’s important for both men and women, but there are some unique benefits that exercise provides to women. In addition to all the benefits that exercise brings to overall health, it also has many benefits specifically for women. Exercise helps women recover from pregnancy and childbirth, supports weight loss and maintenance, reduces stress and fatigue, increases energy levels and overall happiness—the list goes on!
Increase energy and reduces stress and fatigue.
The positive effects of exercise on mood are well known. It is often used as an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, and it can help with the symptoms of other mental health conditions.
Studies show that exercise can also reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, and increase energy levels. “Exercise improves sleep quality by increasing time spent in REM sleep,” says Dr. Kavita Datta of the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine in Philadelphia. “It reduces fatigue by increasing restorative deep sleep.”
Help recovery from pregnancy and childbirth.
If you have recently given birth, you may be feeling overwhelmed by sleep deprivation, pain (particularly lower back and pelvic pain), anxiety about your new responsibilities as a parent, or any number of other factors. Exercise can help the body recover from these physical demands and provide the mental relaxation needed after childbirth. It may also aid in weight loss after pregnancy if that is an issue for you; exercise is one of the best ways to lose excess fat gained during pregnancy because it burns calories even when not working out. Finally, postnatal exercise increases pelvic floor muscle strength which can help prevent urinary incontinence (leaking urine) following delivery.[3]
Support weight loss and maintenance of a healthy weight.
For many people, exercise is the first line of defense against excess weight. Exercising regularly can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise also reduces your risk of developing certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Exercise can be an effective way to lose weight because it increases your basal metabolic rate (BMR). The BMR is the amount of energy required to support basic body functions when resting. Exercise helps raise your BMR by increasing muscle mass, which burns more calories than fat does at rest. In addition to raising your BMR, regular training will keep you active throughout the day so that you don’t feel like sitting around eating—you’ll eat less!
For these reasons, if you want to lose weight then regular physical activity should be part of your routine as well as dieting changes and behavior modifications such as avoiding fast food restaurants or cutting back on portion sizes
The benefits of exercise for women are as broad and varied as the women who enjoy it. From improving your mental health to helping you lose weight, there’s a reason so many people choose to train regularly! Of course, don’t forget to reward yourself after your workout with a nutritious meal or a massage (even if it’s with a deep tissue massager gun), which is great for sticking to your fitness plan!
