Exercise improves just about every aspect of your life and health, including appearance, energy levels, and mood. Moderate workouts can even boost your immune system, helping the body fight off infections and recover faster from diseases. Below is a brief overview of how exercise can help keep you healthy.

How Exercise Boosts the Immune System

Moderate exercise stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which governs your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also triggers the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are powerful hormones that suppress inflammation that may lead to arthritis and other chronic conditions.

Working out may also trigger the production of white blood cells and increase circulation. This allows your immune system to detect potential infections more efficiently. Many researchers believe that exercise triggers serotonin and dopamine—the neurotransmitters responsible for the mood boost you might enjoy after working out. They’ve also been positively linked to resistance to disease and faster recovery times after infections.

Exercising Tips to Maximize the Immune System

Fortunately, you don’t have to visit the gym twice a day to enjoy a stronger, more effective immune system. Researchers have found that 20 minutes of moderate cardio can have a profound effect on your body’s ability to fight disease and heal itself.

Working out for an hour or more may actually have the opposite effect, suppressing the immune system and potentially harming your heart. This is because extended workouts put a great deal of stress on the body, which dampens your immune response while the body fights to recover from the extra activity. The longer your workout is, the longer you’ll be vulnerable to otherwise avoidable infections.

No matter what your fitness goals might be, Anytime Fitness in Chesterfield, MO, is dedicated to helping you get to a healthier place. They offer 24-hour access to a state-of-the-art facility, and their experienced personal trainers will help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Join the Coach, Care, Connect program for access to virtual workouts, recipes, and training tips for a healthier lifestyle. Visit their website to learn more, or call (314) 485-8986 to schedule a consultation.