In a time plagued by sedentary lifestyles and changing dietary patterns, the incidence of physical and mental diseases has increased manifold. A great number of people are steadily falling victim to silent killers like hypertension, diabetes, strokes and cardiovascular illnesses. So much so, that the global burden of disease has slowly risen from about 30,000 DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) lost, to almost 2.3 billion DALYs lost, since 2016! In such an unhealthy & grievous environ, the importance of physical fitness can not be overstated.
The importance of physical fitness can’t be stressed enough. Physical fitness is, in simple terms, is the ability of your body to conduct its daily activities in a vigorous and smooth manner. It primarily comprises muscular endurance, cardio-respiratory strength, bodily power & mental well-being. Being physically fit doesn’t just protect you against various types of harmful diseases, but it also teaches you the importance of physical fitness by enabling you to lead a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life.
However, this is just the tip of the iceberg! Physical fitness also has a plethora of other advantages which can easily help you stay stronger and live longer. Here are a few benefits of physical activity which can equip you to understand the importance of physical fitness and wellness in your life-
Improves Life Expectancy
According to recent research conducted by Live Science, people who undertake at least 75 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily, are likely to live about 1.8 to 3.9 years longer than those who do not perform any physical activity at all. This simply means that the better you get in terms of physical fitness, the more benefits of physical activity can you derive to live a long and healthy life.
A major benefit of physical activity is that it increases your life expectancy by reducing your risk of injury and making you less susceptible to contract life-threatening diseases. The importance of physical fitness,in fact, lies in its ability to increase your muscle strength and improve your body resilience while ensuring that your general anatomical functions remain robust and buoyant.
Boosts Mental Health
One of the primary benefits of physical activity is that it doesn’t just focus on improving your physical health. It also is for boosting your mental and emotional health as well. As per the Lancet Psychiatry journal, people who perform regular physical activity tend to experience 1.5 fewer days of poor mental health, as compared to those who don’t indulge in such activities.
This is essential because physical activity releases feel-good chemicals like endorphins, which interact with brain receptors continuously to reduce pain and lower stress levels. The importance of physical activity also lies in its inherent potential to induce a general feeling of happiness and positivity in your body, thereby helping you stay in high spirits.
Reduces the Risk of Diseases
A report prepared by the National Health Service, UK, has revealed that the importance of fitness extends to both, reducing the risk of fatal diseases and countering their spread if and when they occur. This is to say that the benefits of physical activity are not just limited to the general perception of weight loss. They also include:
- Lower risk of coronary heart diseases, stroke, depression & cancer
- Improved bone density, thus preventing the onset of osteoporosis
- Better insulin sensitivity, body composition, and cardiovascular fitness
- Reduced oxidative stress leading to lesser damage of cell structures
- Enhanced sleep quality coupled with a lower likelihood of chronic pain
The reasons mentioned above are precisely why it is important to be physically fit and strive towards maintaining good health on all counts.
Enhances The Quality Of Life
Among other benefits of physical activity, the one that truly stresses the importance of physical fitness is that – fitness enhances the quality of your life. It allows you to do activities, perform tasks and indulge in things which would not have been possible otherwise. This is especially true for people who are heading towards the golden years of their life.
For example, at the ripe old age of 70, it might not be feasible for you to climb a mountain, hike a trail or even play with your grandchildren! However, if you undertake moderate but consistent physical activity for a regular period of time, you won’t be constrained by any fitness limitations. Rather, you will be able to make the most out of your life without worrying about health or wellness issues. This, in itself, is a great benefit of physical activity!
Builds Key Life Skills
A lesser-known but extremely important benefit of physical activity is that it helps you build key life skills. Those who exercise frequently are known to develop a great amount of discipline, willpower, sincerity, dedication and determination. This is because they stick to a certain fitness routine and force themselves to follow it without fail, every day.
Furthermore, another importance of physical fitness is that it helps improve your social relationships. When you start feeling better about your own body, your self-esteem improves. This makes it much easier to establish new social contacts while reinvigorating existing ones. In short, re-energizing social skills and building life skills are two of the primary reasons why it is important to be physically fit.
Saves Money
Last but not least, one of the major benefits of physical activity is that it helps you save an immense amount of money. Consider this statistic, for example – The US Center for disease control and prevention has disclosed that 86% of all healthcare costs in the US arise only from treating chronic diseases. This simply means that had the US population worked hard to keep fit; they could have easily avoided bearing these enormous expenses!
Although the onset of some diseases cannot be prevented even if you stay fit, their incidence and spread can most certainly be reduced. The importance of fitness, therefore, extends to both preventive and curative forms of wellness.
The Way Forward
With time, the lifestyles, eating habits and daily routines of most people are likely to change for the better. The realization about the importance of physical fitness is bound to seep in, sooner rather than later. In such a transformative scenario, it would be wise to be prepared with a variety of fitness techniques that can highlight the importance of physical fitness in a smart, clear and effective way.
If you are still wondering why is physical fitness important or what are the actual benefits of physical activity, you can understand more about it by registering for a fitness certification course – here.
Looking to enhance your knowledge of fitness and health? Join our top-rated professional diploma in fitness & weight loss today!
