National Women’s Health & Fitness Day: 5 Reasons To Get Moving Today

On September 25th, we celebrate National Women’s Health & Fitness Day. Started in 2001 by the Health Information Resource Center (HIRC), this holiday was created “to encourage women to take control of their health, to learn the fact they need to make smart health choices, and to make time for regular physical activity.” In honor of this day, participating organizations across the county will run programs to encourage women to exercise.

It goes without saying that exercise is great for everybody, but exercise can be especially beneficial for women in several ways.

Exercise helps with osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis is when the density of bone deteriorates. Eighty percent of people who suffer from osteoporosis are women, and one in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Exercising regularly, particularly using muscle-strengthening equipment, helps build strong bones. Childhood is a great time for females to get on the path of preventing osteoporosis by exercising. Having a diet high in calcium, vitamin D and protein also aids in prevention.

Exercise helps prevent heart disease:

While men are more susceptible to heart disease, women are affected by it as well. It is the leading cause of death for both men AND women. Exercising regularly helps keep weight off, which is instrumental in keeping the heart healthy. It also helps lower blood pressure, lower the heart rate, and lower the risk of developing diabetes.

Exercise helps reduce stress:

Stress, anxiety and depression affect individuals of all walks of life; however, according to the American Psychological Association, women are more likely to experience stress than men (28 percent versus 20 percent), and stress is on the rise for women in particular. Exercise reduces stress by releasing endorphins—the chemicals in your body that make you happier—into your body. Exercise is also a great way to meditate. It helps you decompress, focus on what is in front of you, and enjoy some time of solitude. The Mayo Clinic suggests that regular exercise can also help feel “a sense of command over your body and your life,” and it can increase your self-esteem and confidence.

Exercise helps with digestion:

Many women are no strangers to gut problems. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, women overwhelmingly experience IBS more than males. Women make up 60-65 percent of individuals who report having IBS. But there is good news. A Swedish study found that 43% of patients who exercised 20-60 minutes, 3-5 times a week, for 12 weeks, “had a significant decrease in [IBS] symptom severity.” Exercising also helps reduce the chances of developing constipation, diverticular disease and gallstones.

Exercise helps reduce the risk of memory loss:

In America, two-thirds of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease are women. In addition, because women live longer, they have a higher risk of developing the disease. According to Harvard Health Publishing, some studies have found that “regular aerobic exercise…boosts the size of the hippocampus, the area in the brain involved in verbal memory and learning.” The Mayo Clinic recommends exercising several times a week to keep your learning and reasoning skills sharp, and to improve your cognitive skills and judgment. This is particularly beneficial for individuals already showing signs of memory loss.