Fitness and Beauty: How Staying Active Enhances Your Appearance

Fitness and beauty are often seen as pillars of Hollywood. Every movie star you see appears to be perfectly sculpted. Naturally, they have a team of nutritionists and personal trainers to make sure they stay looking great. The trend has spread across social media. The majority of images online are photoshopped, filtered, or simply photographed at the right time and in the right light. It's all about appearances. However, there are other reasons to care about your appearance, such as ageing gracefully and, by looking after your appearance, you can improve your mental and physical health. That's instrumental to living a longer and healthier life. Of course, looking good also boosts your confidence levels which can help you to achieve virtually anything.

How Exercise Can Help Your Appearance

There are several ways in which exercise has a direct effect on your appearance:

Collagen production

When you exercise, your body works harder, blood flows around faster and you may find yourself gasping for breath. These are all signs that you're putting the effort in. While exercising, the increased blood flow won't just ensure your muscles and organs are getting the energy and nutrition they need. It also increases blood flow to your skin. That's important because a process called collagen synthesis takes place in your skin. The greater the blood flow to the skin the more effective this process is. In effect, it creates collagen which is the compound that makes your skin elastic. In other words, collagen is essential to your skin snapping back after you pinch it. Improved production of collagen, as triggered by exercise, will reduce wrinkles. It can also help to keep pores clear, reducing the likelihood of bacteria buildup and the subsequent outbreaks of acne.

Muscle tone

Exercising helps you to maintain and even build muscles. This is an effective way to help you stay active, even as you age. Strong muscles and bones, as obtained from regular exercise, ensure you can maintain your balance. You are also less likely to injure yourself if you fall. Of course, building or maintaining muscle also means you'll be lowering the amount of body fat you're carrying. That means more lean muscle and less fat deposits. As fat deposits often occur in the least desirable places, such as the buttocks, hips, and even your jawline, reducing the fat and tightening the muscles will give you a more streamlined, youthful, look. The opposite is also true. Reduce your exercise levels and you'll likely to develop fatty deposits, potentially damaging your health, and certainly changing your appearance. It's not usually for the better.

Youthful genes

You may not know this, but research has shown that regular exercise can affect your genes. There have been several studies into the effects of exercise on your skin. Of particular note was one by the Journal of Psychological Science which demonstrated that exercise can help your body turn on genes. These genes will make your skin look healthier, effectively improving your appearance.

Stress reduction

If you've ever exercised you'll have experienced the feelings of satisfaction and achievement when you complete your routine. That's the endorphins. The act of exercising also separates you from the real world and your ongoing concerns. This allows your body to destress. As several studies have shown, high levels of stress can contribute to premature ageing, including increasing the appearance of wrinkles.

Mental fortitude

When you complete an exercise session you feel great. It makes you feel more confident that you can achieve anything. This is partly because of the endorphins released and partly because you like the image you see in the mirror. You're improved body image and confidence will help boost your mental and physical health. This, in turn, will encourage you to undertake more exercise and improve your appearance and health further. Of course, when you look fitter others will perceive you differently and this can help you feel more attractive, capable, and confident in your own body.

Improved sleep

Sleep is essential for your body. It allows your body to recharge, repair damage, and process the events of the day. Getting enough sleep is vital if you want to look your best at all times. You already know that exercise triggers the release of endorphins. What you may not know is that these endorphins don't just make you feel good, they can help your brain shut down for the night. Studies show regular exercise will make you feel more relaxed and get a better night's sleep.

The Bottom Line

Creams and lotions can help improve the appearance of your skin. However, exercise offers an array of benefits and improves your appearance from within. That makes it a more effective and longer-lasting solution. The best part is, that you can choose the type of exercise you like the most. All you have to do is commit to doing it regularly.