Introduction: Physical exercise means the regular movement of the limbs of our body according to rules. Exercise strengthens our heart and improves our circulation. The increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in our bodies. This helps lower our risk of heart diseases such as high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. It can also improve our health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise can also lower our blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Physical exercise is essential to keep our body fit. It also keeps our mind sound. Because sound mind lives in a sound body. There are different kinds of physical exercise. These are walking swimming, riding, running, wrestling and playing many outdoor games, etc. All forms of exercise are not suitable for all men.
Benefits of Physical Exercise: The benefits of exercise are so numerous. If we are regularly physically active, we may:
- reduce our risk of a heart attack
- manage our weight better
- have a lower blood cholesterol level
- lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers
- have lower blood pressure
- have stronger bones, muscles and joints and lower risk of developing osteoporosis
- lower your risk of falls
- recover better from periods of hospitalization or bed rest
During exercise, our body releases chemicals that can improve our mood and make us feel more relaxed. This can help us deal with stress and reduce our risk of depression.
Physical exercise is also helpful for our mental health. There is a close connection between the body and the mind. The proverb says,
“A sound mind lives in a sound body”.
If the body is not sound, the mind must also be ill. Besides, for success in life, we should have good health, and this good health depends on regular exercise.
Types of Exercise: Physical exercise can be of various types. Most of the time we should take free-hand exercise without using any instrument. This type of exercise is suitable for people of all ages in all seasons. In this type of exercise, we make various movements of our legs hands and the body in a systematic manner. Those types of exercise in which various instruments are used are comparatively tough and require much knowledge of the physiological set-up of the human body. It is best to take the advice of an instructor before taking exercise this way. Besides these, we can take exercise by jumping, practicing ‘yoga’, swimming and walking. Virtually, each person selects one or more forms of exercise in view of his/her age, physical conditions, and intentions. There are, however, some forms of exercise that are suitable only for those who have an acrobatic or body-building purpose. People who do not have such purposes find it very tough, and even impossible, to practice them. And it is advisable that the general people not take such hard exercise without proper guidance and instructions.
A sound mind in sound body-goes the saying. Therefore, we all should take physical exercise for both a sound physique and a sound mind. But in doing this we need to follow some rules. These go as follows: We should not take exercise in excess of the requirement or more than what we are accustomed to. If we, however, want to increase the amount and intensity of exercise, we should do it gradually. Again, it must be borne in mind that it is best to take exercise at a specified time every day. And, last but not least, we should try to eat a balanced diet.
Demerits of Physical Exercise: This is to remember that all forms of exercise are not suitable Count for all men. If an excessively ill or weak person takes part in a game of football or cricket where severe physical work is needed, he will get extremely tired. Such difficult exercises may not be good for him. In such cases, milder forms of exercise will be appropriate. For physically sound people running, swimming, rowing, gymnastics, wrestling, etc. are very suitable. Over-exercise may also cause us much harm by causing different physical complexities and side effects. So, we should take physical exercise in an appropriate manner.
Conclusion: Doing any physical activity is better than doing none. It is important that we form a habit of taking regular physical exercise. Such a habit can make us healthy and happy.
