When you participate in any form of exercise, it helps to increase your body’s levels of endorphins and adrenaline. These brain chemicals are associated with feeling happy and confident, and feeling less anxious and stressed. Not only does feeling happy improve your state of mind, it can also improve your skin. Exercise gets your heart rate up, increasing your blood circulation. This delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin, which aids in new skin cell and collagen production, which are key anti-aging requirements to keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful. So exercising is not only important for your heart, lungs and mental health, but might just be the secret ingredient to brighter healthier looking skin.
Whether you like to go to the gym, do an online exercise or yoga class at home, go hiking, walking or just turn on the music and dance, getting in the habit of moving your body and increasing your heart rate on most days of the week has tremendous benefits on your mind and total body. If that doesn’t sound convincing enough for you, here are a few ways being physically active can help you look and feel fantastic!
- More radiant skin – While exercising that flow of increased oxygen throughout your blood helps your skin’s overall glow. More blood flow to the skin’s surface delivers nutrients that will aid in repairing inflammation and free radical damage all helping your skin become more radiant. Find ways to get your heart pumping every day and enjoy that instant post-workout glow and healthier looking skin.
- Flush out toxins – When you sweat, it’s like giving yourself a mini facial. Sweat helps flush toxins out of your pores which can help to clear blemishes and acne. To keep your skin clear, always wash your face and neck (or areas you get acne) after exercising to make sure the oils, dirt and sweat don’t stay on your skin and re-clog your pores.
- Less stress and anxiety – When you’re stressed and anxious it often can show on your face. Exercising helps lift your mood and can bring a smile back on your face while improving your overall health. Exercises that increase your heart rate like brisk walking, running, swimming, and cycling can have a great effect.
- Better sleep – Some research has shown that exercising can help you sleep more restfully. When you exercise, your body reduces cortisol levels generated from stress. Less stress and lower cortisol levels leads to improved sleep quality. Therefore, the better sleep you have, the more refreshed and healthier you’ll look. If physical activity in the evening winds you up too much, then try an evening stroll or mediation prior to bedtime. Simply just winding down and relaxing before bed and limiting screen time can also help with a restful night’s sleep.
Written by Alyssa Rolnick, Co-Founder of Zax’s Original Products, Registered Dietitian and Mother of a very busy household.