Alexandru West 
Cardio exercises offer more than just heart strengthening – they also increase energy levels, make you feel great and can even strengthen memory!
Health experts suggest 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week as recommended by most health authorities. Cardio exercises involve any activity which elevates heart and breathing rates while using large muscle groups repetitively, such as running, swimming or HIIT workouts.
Improves Your Lung Capacity
By engaging in physical exercise, your heart and lungs work in unison to provide oxygen to the body, strengthening their strength while making lung tissue more efficient at absorbing oxygen. Cardio workouts may help alleviate symptoms associated with lung conditions by strengthening and improving their function – giving cardio workouts another potential avenue of treatment for any respiratory conditions that arise.
If you have a lung condition, it’s essential that you consult with your physician regarding which exercises are safe for you. They may suggest starting off slowly with lower intensity activities so as to allow your body to gradually prepare itself for more strenuous cardio workouts.
National guidelines suggest that adults engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days throughout the week, whether it’s walking, recreational biking or even housecleaning. For a challenge that will push yourself further, try High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which features short bursts of intense exercise followed by short rest intervals.
Increases Your Endorphin Levels
No matter your running or gym experience, most have felt that exhilarating feeling that comes after working out. What you may not realize is that this blissful post-exercise feeling is caused by endorphins – chemicals produced naturally within your brain which play an essential role.
As evidenced by a well-known phenomenon such as runner’s high, any activity that gets your heart pumping can help release feel-good chemicals into your system and give a jolt of joy – moderate workouts such as running, swimming and cycling will likely do the trick; one study indicates you could even find relief through attending short group fitness classes!
Researchers suggest high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts as an effective way to increase endorphin levels more significantly, according to studies. Studies have proven HIIT is more successful at increasing mood than other forms of exercise due to engaging more muscle groups while potentially being more uncomfortable, driving people on towards experiencing those happy feelings!
Makes You Feel Good
Cardio (or aerobic) workouts refer to any form of physical activity which elevates both heart rate and breathing rates, thus improving cardiovascular health. They’re an ideal way to burn calories and build muscle; you could try anything from jogging around the block before work to taking part in an intense interval training (HIIT) session at the gym – or even something as simple as riding stationary bike at home!
Cardio workouts can also improve mental health by increasing blood flow to the brain and releasing feel-good endorphins – providing a boost to mood, relieving the effects of depression or anxiety, as well as increasing cognitive performance.
Regular cardiovascular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your heart healthy, reduces stroke risks and other heart diseases, and aid in weight management. You can start out slowly by starting with short sessions each week before gradually ramping up intensity gradually as time goes on. Once comfortable with that routine, try different cardio exercises until you find one you enjoy most!
Challenges Your Mental Health
Sticking with an exercise routine can be challenging if you already suffer from mental health issues, but by treating cardio as something necessary for optimal body function and making it a priority in daily life, you should find ways of fitting it in.
Cardio exercises involve any physical activity that increases breathing and heart rate, from walking slowly through an urban landscape, to participating in an early morning HIIT workout or even simply dancing along with music at home.
Studies have demonstrated that those who regularly engage in cardio experience less depressive symptoms than people who don’t, possibly due to increased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, which controls executive functions. Cardio workouts also help develop resilience to cope with emotional or mental difficulties more easily; doing this regularly will reduce reliance on unhealthy or self-defeating habits such as alcohol consumption, drug abuse or self-harming behaviors.
