Writers May Not Get Enough Physical Exercise: A Refresher Course of Exercise Benefits

Because I am a writer, I sit hour after hour. I only get a chance to write part-time, so I squeeze in as much time at the computer as I can. What suffers? The body suffers due to lack of physical exercise. I'm going to remind you in this article of the benefits of exercise. You'll surely read some benefits of exercise that you already know, but you may come across some physical or emotional benefits of exercise that you weren't aware of. Either way, I hope this article motivates us all to increase our physical exercise for better health!

Physical Benefits of Exercise

The benefits of exercise include burning calories and losing extra pounds. Exercising and keeping weight normal decreases risks of developing almost every disease. Three diseases that deserve special mention are heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Exercise builds and maintains healthy bone density. When your bones deteriorate, you turn into a jellyfish. If you let your bones get soft, they break. Don't wind up incapacitated! Strengthen your bones by getting regular physical exercise.

Have you ever gotten out of bed in the morning, or even out of a chair or your car after sitting for several hours, and felt stiff-walking kind of like a cadaver come partly back to life? Exercise to keep your joints lubricated and mobile!

Another benefit of exercise is increased physical strength. Even if you are a woman, you need good muscle tone to look better, feel better, and be healthier.

Especially in Eastern philosophy, there is a belief that exercise can improve internal organs.

Don't forget the effects of exercise on blood pressure. If it is elevated, exercise can help.

Another benefit of exercise is that it strengthens the immune system.

Exercise increases lung and heart capacity and keeps them working better. If you don't use it, you lose it! When middle-aged persons are faithful with exercise, their function is better later in life.

Male and female hormones are more stable and normal in a body that exercises.

Exercise decreases fat around the waist and decreases formation of unhealthy fat deposits that form on internal organs.

Mental Benefits of Exercise

Physical exercise benefits the brain by clearing out the cobwebs. Exercise benefits include the release of chemicals called endorphins, which raise the mood. All this helps ward off problems with insomnia and depression.

A fit, exercised brain, rewards the owner by increased concentration and mental clarity. Physical exercise can help keep dementia from developing. Physical exercise has been found to have benefits of improving both the structure and the function of the brain.

Another mental benefit of exercise, though also a physical benefit, is weight loss. If you look better, you feel better.

Exercise (at least in rats!) may help reduce brain damage from alcoholism.

Improved coping with stress is certainly an exercise benefit for all of us. Increased stress may be part of the reason so many Americans have back pain. Physical exercise benefits backpain (make sure there is no underlying pathology) whether it is from stress or just a result of inactivity.

Physical Exercises Writers Can Do While Sitting

Any type of movement is better than no movement. Even fidgeting is better than no exercise. Shifting from one position to the other while sitting for extended periods may even have some benefit.

Exercise bands have been recommended by Dr. Richard Weil. Writers can work a few minutes at a time while sitting at the computer.

S du Plessis gives some good isometric exercises in her AC article.

Other Exercises

Angel Sharum has a great AC article to remind you of easy ways to add some exercise to your day.

Show a Writer You Care

Instead of leaving a comment for me on this article, copy and paste the following into a message to me. Do the same for other writers you care about. If we did this on a regular basis, would we be more motivated?

Dear Fellow Writer,

You are important to life and I hope you will take good care of yourself. Because I care about you, I am sending this friendly reminder to exercise more, eat right, and do good things for yourself.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for information only. This information is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. I am not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by the information. Never substitute anything you read anywhere on the Internet for the advice of a qualified doctor! Before starting any exercise program, ask your doctor if it is safe for you to do so.