Benefits of physical activity
Along with diet and medication, physical activity is central to the management of your diabetes.
Activity helps to lower blood glucose levels because, when you’re active, the muscles take up glucose from the bloodstream for energy. This helps you control your diabetes, as does keeping to a healthy weight, another benefit of regular physical activity.
Body benefits
Regular exercise helps:
- keep the brain active
- strengthen the heart, muscles and bones
- release endorphins – happy hormones
- expand lung capacity and tone the stomach
- you feel more energetic and boosts your self-esteem
- you keep to a healthy weight for your height
- your body use insulin more efficiently
- reduce stress and lower your blood pressure which reduces the risk of long-term complications
- improve circulation
- you control your blood glucose levels.