Not-So-Obvious Ways That Exercise Helps

It's no secret and shouldn't be a surprise that exercise is good for you. There are some not-so-obvious ways exercise helps.

I always fight going to the gym but love how I feel when I am done. I know it's great for me, but for some reason I am always searching for excuses to get out of working out.

Lose weight, tone muscle and look good are just a couple of things that motivate me to get to the gym.

But, according to CNN, studies have uncovered many other benefits to working out -- ones that aren't necessarily visible from the outside. Here, some of the awesome ways exercise can benefit your mind, body and soul:

It zaps anxiety
Ever notice that you can start a workout feeling stressed and anxious, and end it feeling good? It isn't in your head. Or, actually, it is According to a new study from Princeton University, exercise appears to change the chemistry of the brain by causing the release of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps quiet brain activity and minimize anxiety. The study found that people who ran regularly had a low reaction to stressful situations, even if they hadn't run in more than 24 hours.

It boosts immunity
Regular exercise can reduce your risk of certain serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. It can also decrease your chances of developing -- and getting stuck with -- more common illnesses, such as flus and colds. (According to one recent study, colds lasted 43% longer for people who exercised once a week or less.)

It brings on better sleep
If you're having sleep problems, skip the pills and hit the pool, track or spin studio. According to one study, people who exercised regularly for about 10 weeks reported sleeping better than they had previously.

It decreases PMS
Women often report feeling irritable and bloated before their periods, but exercise appears to minimize these conditions. In a survey of nearly 2,000 New Zealand women, researchers found that those who exercised rested and wrote in a journal about their symptoms fared better than those who took specific vitamins or followed other DIY advice.

It gets you in the mood
You may have heard that smelling the pheromones in sweat can make you want to get down and dirty -- but that's not the main reason exercise can lead to sex. For men, exercise can lower the risk of erectile dysfunction, and it gives both genders stamina and feel-good vibes about the body.

It strengthens the brain
Studies have found that working out can lessen the severity of memory problems in older adults, and even decrease the risk of diseases like Alzheimer's. It can also have a positive benefit on the brain function of younger people. Research out of New Zealand shows that exercise improves executive function -- the general brain processes that include planning, memory, reasoning, problem-solving and more.

It improves body image
After summarizing the effects of 57 separate studies, a group of researchers determined that exercise does indeed improve how you feel about your body.

[via: CNN]