In an age-obsessed society people are prepared to go to great lengths and spend huge sums of money to remain as youthful-looking as possible. There are a multitude of creams, powders and potions which all claim to be able to roll back the years, whilst growing numbers of individuals are prepared to take drastic action in the form of cosmetic surgery just to look a few years younger. Exercise tends to get overlooked in people's quest to hold back the years, or indeed reverse the years. It is clear that there are certain aspects of people's lifestyle, especially their diet and exercise routine, which can be used to improve both their internal health and external appearance, and making small changes to their lifestyle is surely preferable to surgery, being cheaper and less painful.

Regular exercise is good for people's health, as it can lower blood pressure; reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Exercise boosts the immune system, helping the body to fend off illness, whilst it also promotes bone density which can protect against osteoporosis, and it can also help with osteoarthritis. Exercise is also good for people's mental health, as the brain releases endorphins which make them feel good, whilst exercise can also make people more mentally alert, less prone to depression and anxiety, and better able to cope with stress. It is clear, then, that exercise can help individuals to remain healthy and to stay youthful on the inside.

Exercise can also be used to help people manage their weight, which is particularly important when their metabolism begins to slow as they age. Following the menopause women tend to accumulate more fat around their abdomen, whilst overweight men also tend to find the extra weight tends to result in a protruding tummy. A waistline of over 35 for women and 40 for men puts them at greater risk of heart disease and other health problems, and thus staying slim is not just an issue of vanity; it is essential for people who want to extend their life expectancy and have a good quality of life. A balanced, calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise enables people to control their weight, which means they can end up feeling younger than their years.

When people feel confident with their bodies they are more likely to convey this confidence to the rest of the world, which means their social interactions will be positive as they tend to possess a youthful aura. Exercise can therefore help play a significant part in helping people stay looking younger as well as benefiting their health and social life.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Wilkinson.
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