Exercising is beneficial to us for many reasons. Most know that exercise helps fight against diseases and other health conditions and has also been founded to put is in a better mood, boost energy, and give us a better quality of life. But did you know that exercise can also increase your life expectancy?

Research by the National Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and other organizations analyzed six different prospective cohort studies of more than 632,000 people ages 40 and older. The study showed that regular, moderate intensity exercise was associated with an increased life expectancy, even when the person exercising had an unhealthy Body Mass Index (BMI).

You don’t exercise moderately? The World Health Organization’s (WHO) studies show that leisure exercise should be 150 minutes a week, or just about 22 minutes each day, to yield a 3.4 to 4.5 year increase on life expectancy.

Due to factors such as self-reporting participants, the study is not full-proof. However, this research reinforces a common theory: an active life is a healthy life. Even finding the slightest time in your week to exercise will be beneficial for you.

But wait. Before you run out (literally) and start or change your current weight management or exercise program, consult with a specialist or your healthcare provider to make sure you are adding activity to your routine in a safe and healthy way. If you have any ideas on how to safely increase activity levels, share them in the comment box below.