After all, physical health is at least as important as psychological health and the two are very closely related. The Surgeon General reports that a lack of regular exercise can be hazardous to health. Regular physical exercise can improve our hearts and muscles. With the incidence of obesity and other preventable chronic diseases on the rise, the physical benefits of exercise are inarguable. The latest studies also support the significant impact that exercise has on psychological health.
Exercise causes the release of endorphins in the brain which promote a sense of well-being.
The visible results of exercise can also have a positive impact on self-confidence and body image , two very important issues among teens today. Some recent studies even suggest that exercise might be related to improved learning skills. It is essential that teens engage in cardiovascular, resistance, and stretching exercises. Cardiovascular exercise alone will improve cardiovascular health, but resistance and stretching exercises are needed to maintain lean muscle tissue which protects the bones and joints from injury and degeneration. Resistance exercise also increases the resting metabolic rate, which is a key factor in controlling excess body fat.