This holiday season, give yourself the gift of becoming more fit.

Before you roll your eyes and stop reading, let me give you 3 reasons why this could be the best thing you do for yourself all year.

1. Exercise promotes brain health. Scientific studies show that exercise stimulates the growth of neural connections in your brain. According to Dr. Eric Ahlskog, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, the human brain shrinks and neural connections deteriorate as we age. Adding exercise to your daily routine is like adding fertilizer to your brain.

Do you know of anyone who suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s? Building more neural connections through exercise will help delay the effects of such terrible conditions.

2. Exercise promotes heart health. Your heart is a key piece of the health puzzle. Aerobic exercise (walking, running, swimming or anything that gets your heart rate up for an extended period) provides significant benefits. It can prolong life and reduce the risk of heart disease.

How much exercise is needed? You don’t have to push yourself to the point of exhaustion. If you are not currently physically active, start with 20-30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. A good goal is to gradually achieve 30-minutes of moderate to brisk aerobic exercise every day.

3. Exercise helps with stress and anxiety relief. It promotes blood flow and stimulates brain cell production. It also helps release tension that is stored in your body by contracting muscles. This release helps prevent and reverse effects of stress such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and even weight gain.

As a fitness professional, I regularly observe a noticeable difference in my clients who arrive for training feeling stressed out and distracted and then leave afterwards feeling energized, focused and happy. Over time, I also frequently hear how those annual check ups go and that their doctor tells them to keep doing what they’re doing.

I came across a quote recently that sums it all up beautifully:

“When you improve your physical, mental and spiritual health it adds more years to your life, yes – but more importantly, it adds more life to your years.”

Add more life to your years. Give yourself the gift of exercise.

Rachel Maxwell is owner and head trainer at CenterFit in Lexington. Contact her at (803) 240-5372, rachel@centerfit.net or visit www.CenterFit.net