With Memorial Day kicking off the summer season, it comes as no surprise that summer is the one of the busiest seasons of them all!  Between work obligations, family life, and social functions, it's hard for many of us to find time to exercise.  Aside from looking great on the beach this summer (because let's be honest, we all want too), check out these reasons why you should begin exercising today:

1. Exercise boosts energy AND happiness

It's science. Today's research suggests that exercise releases feel – good endorphins into our bloodstream. In fact, a study at Penn State University suggests that people who exercise, regardless of the intensity, had more pleasant feelings than those who did not work out. This study also noted that participants were happier on days that included physical activity, as opposed to days they did not exercise.

2. Exercise can help you sleep better.

If you're prone to tossing and turning at night, exercise actually helps to strengthen your body's circadian rhythms and can help you to fall (and stay) asleep!

However, the results are not immediate. Research suggests that it can take up to four months for exercise to help study your circadian rhythm's, so start hitting the gym now to get a better quality sleep over the next few months.

3. Exercise helps to reduce stress in a positive way

As I mentioned earlier, it comes as no surprise that we all lead busy, complicated lives. There are tons of ways to deal with stress, many of which can negatively impact your health and fitness goals.  Eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's may seem like the best way to deal with a stressful situation, but I promise you that you'll end up feeling worse about yourself afterwards.  You know that exercise can make you happier, but it can also help to reduce stress by stopping the release of stress hormones that flow throughout your body.

4. Exercise helps improve your confidence and willpower

Sure, it's great to see the physical results of exercise. I'm talking tone arms and abs, a tiny waist, and chiseled legs. For me, the mental results that my clients gain are much more important than the physical ones!!  By slowly increasing how much weight you can lift or how far you can run, you'll gain confidence that will bleed into other parts of your life.  It's simple--crushing your workouts and FEELING the gains helps you to feel good in all areas of your life!

In addition, exercise improves your mental strength. Let me be real with you, there are definitely days when I wake up and do NOT want to work out.  However, once I complete the work out, I feel energized and never regret putting in the work!  Plus, I know that I can push myself into that zone that's a little bit uncomfortable. Sure, it can be scary to lift heavier weights than you're used to, or running a further distance than you ever have before, but that's where the real magic happens!

A 30-minute workout is 2% of your day. That's all you need to gain the benefits listed above, and to start seeing great results. Instead of finding excuses and reasons that you can't exercise today, take action find a type of exercise you love.  Get up and get moving!  Make a commitment to your health today, and look and feel better tomorrow!