Fitness

Can half an hour of exercise per day make a difference?

How does daily training make a difference? And can just 30 minutes really affect our wellbeing? We've looked into this.

Half an hour. That's 30 minutes. 1,800 seconds in total. What daily activities can you do during this time that will change your life? You can do a little shopping, clean the car, write a blog... but those 30 minutes will rarely make a big difference.

But how about 30 minutes of training instead? It is quite common for us to occasionally feel lethargic and have no motivation to carry out our daily exercise regimen. That is the moment when our conscience sits on our shoulders and relentlessly reminds us that we really should go to the gym. Well, it's time to listen to that — here's what half an hour of exercise can do for your health and fitness.

1. Half an hour can help you lose weight

Exercising 30 minutes a day can according to WebMD More effective in helping you lose weight than a 60-minute workout. A sample of 60 moderately overweight men was used to investigate whether it made a difference to exercise for just half an hour instead of a full hour daily. The study concluded that just 30 minutes of daily exercise was as good or even better than 60 minutes of exercise for moderately overweight men.

How can that be? Well, spending less time working out felt better for those who were moderately overweight. That doesn't mean you should shorten your 45-minute workout, nor does it mean that 30 minutes replace the usual 60-minute daily workout. It is always good to listen to your own body and adapt to your body awareness. If you feel tired, shorten your workout. But if you're full of energy, head to the gym. Either way, you'll burn calories.

2. It makes us happy

It was one of those days when you can't cope with another disappointment, nothing helps you smile anymore and you just can't think about going out in the rain to work out. Nonetheless, it has been proven that lacing up your training shoes and going to the gym makes you happy. A 30-minute, intense workout stimulates the chemicals in your brain, helps you relax, and makes you glow all over your face due to the endorphin surge.

3. The perfect remedy for stress

Exercise is the best medicine for anxiety and stress. Just half an hour is enough to produce endorphins, which help reduce pain, improve sleep and relax us.

4. It reduces heart disease

Exercising just 30 minutes a day can make all the difference in the fight to reduce heart disease. Something as natural as taking a brisk walk can improve your heart health. Whether it's walking the dog or buying groceries, running fast for half an hour gets your heart pumping.

5. It's a super productivity booster

30 minutes may be the time it takes to leave the office, make a coffee and chat with a colleague - but have you ever had that sluggish feeling after a cup of coffee? Instead of relying on caffeine to fuel up and get inspired, try taking a brisk walk. Nature will do wonders for your energy and productivity. So instead of getting yourself a coffee, get some fresh air.