Rumour has it that exercise can work as the fountain of youth. Is this true? Research shows that exercise's powerful impact on our physical and mental health can slow down the aging process. Keep reading below to learn how movement can make you look younger longer.

Increases Energy Efficiency

A study done at the University of Colorado found that adults who participate in consistent aerobic activities such as running or biking have a lower metabolic cost of walking than more sedentary adults. As we age, the more inactive we are, the less "horsepower" we will maintain in the long run. Those who exercise can maintain a better quality of life because of their ability to move around quickly.

Makes Our Skin Younger

It has been proven that exercise will keep your skin cells healthy and vital by increasing blood flow and eliminating waste. How does this happen? By increasing one's blood flow through movement, exercise will help you nourish skin cells while keeping them fresh and healthy by sending oxygen to them and carrying away any waste. Think about it: when we sweat, our pores open and release the build-up of waste inside them. Sweat purges the body of toxins that would otherwise affect our skin. 

Improves Posture & Flexibility

Consistent movement and exercise will result in posture and flexibility improvements. Muscle loss and bone density changes result from aging, so your ability to keep a healthy posture may decline. Strength training and aerobic exercise can rebuild muscle and prevent this type of bone loss. The benefits of taking care of your core and your spine will shave years off of your appearance.

Yoga and pilates are particularly effective at increasing flexibility as we age when it comes to flexibility. Don't be someone who avoids yoga because they are inflexible - this is the perfect reason to try it out. Increasing your flexibility reduces the risk of injuries and increases your chance of living a longer, healthier life. 

Boosts Mental Health 

Studies show that regular exercise can help boose the size of our hippocampus, the part of our brain responsible for learning and memory. Many people who exercise consistently may have the brain of a younger person. This makes it easy for you to maintain sharp mental health for years longer than those who are sedentary and do not get regular movement. 

Keeps Metabolism High

As you age, your metabolism naturally will begin to slow. So as your pounds creep up and your metabolism slows down, we put our bodies at risk for specific health issues. This includes diabetes, heart disease, and more. If you focus on building up your muscle mass, this will help your body burn calories quicker. By exercising and keeping our bodies strong, we can maintain a healthy weight and reduce our chances of disease.

Slows Cell Aging

Lastly, exercise can make you younger by turning off the aging process in your chromosomes. To stay young, it is critical to keep your cells young. Studies have found that exercise can keep your DNA healthy and youthful. As we age, the caps at the end of our chromosomes - telomeres - are responsible for aging and get shorter. There has been a proven link between regular exercise and lengthening of the telomeres, which suggests that activity may be able to slow our clocks and help us live longer. 

Visit Sheehan Personal Training in Mansfield, MA 

If you are interested in improving your physical and mental health and living a longer, healthier life, visit Sheehan Personal Training for our full-service fitness programs. We have plenty of different plans, such as cardiovascular training, group classes, and semi-private training sessions that will help you get started on your journey. At Sheehan Personal Training, thrive and feel alive at any age - get started by contacting us today at 5083373131 to learn more!