The importance of exercise Published Nov. 5, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Blake Mize 47th Flying Traing Wing public affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Americans will seemingly try any diet to lose weight, drink anything to give them energy or take any pill to help them sleep. They spend fortunes on these products in a time when the American dollar is hard to come by. The irony is that all this can be obtained through daily strenuous activity -- free of charge. Regular exercise is an important aspect of obtaining and maintaining proper physical health. For servicemembers at Laughlin, and all military members, regular exercise is mandatory and an integral part of life. The American Heart Association's Web site suggests that Americans get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week. This is the equivalent of one-forty eighth of each day in exchange for a much healthier lifestyle. According to an article by the staff of the Mayo Clinic, a renowned American medical facility, exercise can drastically improve one's life. From the well-known benefits like weight management to advantages people may not have considered, it said the merits of regular physical activity are hard to ignore. It is no secret that exercise helps to keep unwanted weight off. The more calories a person burns, the easier it is to keep weight under control. This is vital to Airmen because they must stay within military weight standards throughout their careers. What some people may not know is exercise can improve their moods and prevent depression. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals which may leave a person feeling happier and more relaxed than he was before a workout, according to the Mayo Clinic's research. "I almost always feel great after a good workout," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bowman, Laughlin's Health and Wellness Center dietician. Because many servicemembers are put in unimaginable situations under undesirable circumstances, it is essential that they stay in a positive state of mind. "When you are deployed, it's nice to relieve the general, overall stress by hitting the gym, running or whatever the case may be," said Master Sgt. Jeff McGaffin, 47th Force Support Squadron 1st Sgt., who deployed to Balad, Iraq last year. "I feel much less stress after working out." Another fact that may not be well known is that exercise can assist in the battle against many chronic diseases that endanger millions of Americans, including military members. Regular physical activity can help manage high blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also boost good cholesterol while decreasing triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps blood flowing smoothly by lowering the build-up of plaque in arteries. Additionally, according to the Mayo Clinic's staff, exercise can help prevent Type II diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. Regular exercise can also improve energy levels during the day and help one sleep better at night. Physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues and helps blood circulate through the heart and blood vessels more efficiently. When this happens, energy levels are boosted during the day. At night, in turn, people who exercise regularly fall asleep faster and their sleep is deepened, which improves concentration and productivity. In the end, regular exercise is vital to anyone's physical health. For members of the military, physical fitness is not only a requirement, it is a valuable tool. "I have always considered exercise to be a key part of the military mission," said Sergeant Bowman. "Our military men and women set an example for people everywhere and being physically fit is a big part of that."