The Benefits of Exercising on Your Skin

Image by Austris Augusts

Exercise is very beneficial for the skin. 

Below are some of the benefits of exercising and why you should incorporate exercise into your daily skin routine.

• It increases blood, nutrient and oxygen flow to the skin. This can improve your complexion and can aid wound healing.
• Exercise increases blood flow and the flow of lymphatic fluid which both aid in the reduction of cellulite.
• Sweat flushes out toxins from your body and your skin.
• Exercise also helps reduce stress. This has been shown to have a positive effect on your skin especially for acne prone skin. Prolonged periods of stress increase the release of stress-related hormones such as cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels can increase sebum production. Increased sebum production is strongly associated with acne because sebum can block pores
• Cortisol levels can also reduce the production of hyaluronic acid leading to dry dehydrated skin.
• When you exercise you are more likely to drink water. Your skin is the biggest organ of the body. When you don't drink enough water the majority of your water will go to your most important organs like your heart. Your skin is one of the last organs to get water. Leading to dry dehydrated skin.
• Dehydrated skin can lead to dry wrinkled skin and poor functionality of the skin's epidermal layer (outer layer).
• Exercise is also a great way of toning and smoothing the skin. Studies have found that exercise increases the production of collagen.

I enjoy outdoor jogging as my daily form of exercise. I started jogging when I was a student and I couldn't afford monthly gym subscriptions. It's easy, it's free and all you need is a pair of good running shoes and you are ready to go.

Today i realised that I had reached my first 100-kilometre milestone. I have been running regularly since April. Initially I ran short distances and increased the distance by one mile every two weeks until I could run a full 5 kilometres.

I have been using the Nike+ running app.  (disclaimer -I am not sponsored by Nike). It is free and I  found this app very easy to use and to track my progress. I also like this app because it records the calories burnt and my pace. It has  helped me stay motivated and on track. I have one friend so far on the app, my sister. I can also see her progress and she can see mine and this way we challenge each other.

It's not to late to get fit  and improve your skin by 2017.!

Let me know if you try this app and what you think of it.

Maggie x

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References 

• Williams, S., Krueger, N., Davids, M., Kraus, D., & Kerscher, M. (2007). Effect of fluid intake on skin physiology: Distinct differences between drinking mineral water and tap water. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 29(2), 131-138. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2007.00366.x