Is Exercise Good for Your Eye Health?

When you think about ways to maintain good eye health, is a trip to the gym or a morning jog the first thing that comes to mind? Exercise has many potential health benefits, but finding the time and energy to work out isn’t always easy. The good news is that many people find the benefits of regular exercise to be worth the effort and there are great exercise opportunities geared to people of all ages and athletic skill levels. Sticking with a regular exercise program may even have benefits for your eye health, in addition to your overall health.

Tips on Exercise and Eye Care

When you go to the gym, play your favorite sport, or take a daily stroll down your town’s most scenic walking path, your eye care may not be the first thing on your mind. After all, you just spent some time working your muscles hard, and now you’re enjoying that post-workout feeling of a job well done. But exercise has many health benefits, and your workout may be accomplishing more than you realize.

• Overall Health – According to a study by the National Cancer Institute, regular exercise may help lower the risk of certain serious health problems. Many health problems that affect other parts of the body may also have an impact on eye health, so good overall health can be beneficial all around.
• Other Common Health Issues and Eye Health – The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that common health issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure can sometimes be linked to common vision problems. So even working out with the goal of lowering risk of other health problems may have indirect benefits for your vision health.
• Light Exercise – Now, you may be wondering whether you have to hit the gym like an Olympic athlete in order to experience the health benefits of exercise, but the truth is that a good workout can take many forms. So if you fancy taking a regular walk through town and seeing the sights rather than spending an afternoon at the gym, it’s still possible to experience the health benefits with lighter exercises. Even at the gym, it is usually possible to find workout classes for people of all age, fitness, and experience levels.
• An Eye Toward Long-Term Health – Exercise has many short-term benefits, like the feeling of accomplishment you get from completing the day’s workout. The health benefits of exercise, however, often become most apparent in the long-term, by putting in effort over time. If you have any specific questions about how exercise may influence your health – or what type of exercise might be right for you – it’s always best to speak with your doctor to learn more.
• A Fun Way to Stay Healthy – Who says you can’t be healthy and have a bit of fun in the process? Exercise takes so many forms that it can be tied to nearly any fun physical activity, sport, or hobby so it’s possible to find a workout that doesn’t really feel like work at all. You may even find some new activities, as you look for fun ways to enjoy your workouts.

The connections between exercise, overall health, and eye health are a popular area of study and suggest that maintaining good overall health can be a real positive for eye health. Exercise is just one part of a comprehensive health program, and with so many fun workout opportunities available it’s easier than ever to find an exercise program that you’ll actually look forward to each day.