Anyone who knows me knows that I love running! Absolutely LOVE running. It does wonders for mental health and it keeps you fit and healthy. But what if you are not a fan of the treadmill or of your feet pounding the pavement? And why else should you exercise regularly?
The main thing that people think about with cardiovascular exercise is its health impact on your heart. Research shows that regular cardiovascular exercise is a protector against cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality. There is also research suggesting an improvement in myocardial regeneration – your heart muscle can become stronger with exercise.
There is also a lot of research into how cardiovascular exercise reduces stress and anxiety – research showed that with exercise there was an increase in mood and work performance. And what’s even better is that regular aerobic exercise can optimise a range of functions – task switching, attention and working memory span. Winner!
Also, cardiovascular exercise showed improvements in the promotion of an anti-inflammatory environment, promoting healthy gut microbiota, improving overall gut function, and reducing stress.
The current recommendations for cardiovascular exercise are 30-45 minutes 4-5 times per week. Now this may seem like a lot, but the types of exercise include walking and cycling, as well as my favourite – RUNNING. But you don’t have to run a marathon to see these amazing effects. Regular exercise (anything that gets your heart pumping harder) will help your health. If you are unsure as to what might be best for you and your current level of health, speak to Dr Laura or your GP.
Some people find that there is something blocking them from being able to start exercising – the most common are: struggling with symptoms; lack of sleep or energy; and not knowing where to start. The good news is that chiropractic care can help.
Chiropractors are specialists in assessing and correcting spinal subluxations. Subluxations are when your spinal joints have less motion, reduced mobility, or function. This reduces how well your nerves and nervous system communicate and relay information to your brain, causing your brain to function poorly. By correcting your subluxations, you will have a better functioning brain and nervous system which could lead to better performance and health! We find that people under chiropractic care are able to do more sport and exercise and get back doing the things they love and enjoy! Regular exercise helps keep your spine moving! Movement in your spine will help keep your brain and body talking with each other.