Exercising has plenty of physical and psychological benefits. It helps in weight
management and keeps chronic diseases at bay. It boosts energy levels and
improves mood. You could think of exercise as a polypill, that is, a pill that can
combat several issues and risk factors.

One of the most underestimated benefits of exercise is the effect it has on the skin. It
has temporary as well as long-term effects. Often, after an invigorating workout, the
skin has a flushed, radiant appearance. Fitness enthusiasts rave about this ‘post-
workout glow’. This one is temporary, but over time, with regular exercise, you’ll
notice several beneficial long-term effects of exercise on your skin.

Learn how different types of exercise affect your skin and how you can use these to
improve your skin in this article. Unlock a luminous complexion and embrace your
natural radiance with these exercises:

Breathing Exercises

Let’s start with the easiest and simplest one. All you have to do is breathe in
controlled and deliberate ways to reap the benefits. The cells in our body need
oxygen for proper functioning. Our cells contain thousands of mitochondrial DNA
strands. Proper oxygenation of cells allows the mitochondria to provide sufficient
energy for the regeneration of cells. Deep breathing can delay the appearance of
effects of age on the skin, and also assist lymphatic drainage.

Breathing exercises are also a form of meditation and help relieve stress. Stress is a
sneaky culprit behind the exacerbation of skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and
eczema. For depuffed and luminous skin, perform breathing exercises such as
pursed lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, lion’s
breath, and humming bee breathing regularly.

Yoga

Go one step beyond normal stretching routines with yoga. Yoga combines the
effects of stretching, balance training, strength training, and mindfulness. It helps
restore the harmony of the mind, body, and spirit. Additionally, it effectively combats
the effects of stress on the skin. Yoga helps vasodilation and thereby makes way for
an increase in blood flow to the skin. The improvement of blood flow helps more
oxygen and nutrients reach the skin, leading to a ‘glowing’ complexion. Supplement
the effects of full-body yoga with face yoga to improve the overall appearance of the
face.

Aerobic Activities

There’s a positive correlation between our activity levels and skin moisturizing
function. According to a study, people with higher activity levels will likely have
higher stratum corneum hydration. Due to exercise, the ability of the skin to retain
moisture improves, and this may help in the prevention of future skin issues. Aerobic
exercises improve the flow of blood and oxygen, promote cell growth, reduce stress
levels, and boost collagen production. All of these beneficial effects lead to more
healthy and radiant-looking skin. Engage in activities like swimming, cycling, and
running regularly to derive maximum benefits.

HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

According to a study published in the European Heart Journal, HIIT exercises can
affect the way the cells age in the human body. Regular HIIT can slow down and
even reverse cellular aging. This means that with HIIT, you can have more youthful-
looking skin.

HIIT exercises significantly improve blood circulation, stimulate the production of
collagen, and help in the elimination of toxins. They help in improving the tone,
texture, and elasticity of the skin.
The best part about HIIT workouts is that you can insert them anywhere in your busy
schedule. Whenever you have a few minutes to spare, you can do a quick workout.
HIIT is vigorously intense and therefore helps you gain more benefits in a short bout
of exercise.

Strength Training

Strength training enhances dermal extracellular matrices and reduces circulating
inflammatory factors. A study found that resistance training for 30 minutes twice a
week, for a total period of 16 weeks brought about some defined improvements in
the skin health of the participants. Pumping iron improved skin elasticity, bolstered
collagen production, enhanced the extracellular matrix of the dermis, and thickened
the dermal layer. A thick dermal layer can combat sagging, pigmentation, and other
effects of aging. For age-defiant skin, strength training your body for half an hour on
any two days of the week.

Support the Effects of Exercise With Good Nutrition

Exercise and good nutrition are a winning combo. Supplement your training with
good nutrition to invigorate your skin and reap the synergistic benefits. Dark green
veggies have high levels of the skin-loving nutrient Vitamin A. They also have high
levels of Vitamin E, which protects against the damage from free radicals. If you
can’t get yourself to eat more green veggies, then use the best greens powder to
make a nutrient-loaded elixir that has anti-aging and detoxifying effects.

Wrapping Up

Exercise can work wonders for your skin. Even a little bit of consistent exercise is
better than none at all. It’s necessary to add a word of caution here: before you start
any fitness regimen, it’s better to consult your physician, especially if you suffer from
any medical conditions. Incorporate expert-approved workouts into your daily
routine, and supplement the effects with a well-balanced diet to maintain your mind,
body, and skin.