By not doing exercise or activity on a regular basis people are sentencing themselves to the greater possibility of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, fractures and various other forms of health conditions, possibly at an earlier age.

Taking care of the physical component includes muscle strengthening, stretching and cardiovascular (endurance) development.  Balance and coordination exercises will also greatly enable your functionality and health.  Your independence and functionality could be reliant on this!

  • Exercise works by using up the adrenaline that is created by stress and stressful situation. It also creates endorphins, the feel good hormones that improve mood, motivation and even tolerance to pain and other stimuli
  • Just 20 minutes of brisk walking 3x/week helps to reduce stress and promote restful sleep
  • Stretching/yoga helps relax your muscles and your mind, while adding flexibility and focus
  • Studies show highly stressed people who get less exercise report 21% more anxiety than those who exercise frequently
  • 60% of Americans lead completely sedentary lifestyles
  • Obesity and excess weight are linked to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions
  • Lack of exercise affects immune system, our moods, energy and increases likelihood of disease. Be more active, get fewer colds and increase your energy!

One of best ways to protect yourself from a cold is to get moving.  Researchers compared activity levels and cold ratings of 641 people, average age 48, and discovered that active people got fewer colds.  Women who did 90 minutes of activity reduced their risk by 20 percent compared to women who did only ½ hour.

General benefits of exercise
  • Regular exercise gets blood moving
  • Muscles and bones get stronger, allowing better functionality
  • Improves mood and lifts spirit
  • Cardiovascular improvement (aerobic)
  • Gain Flexibility, Balance & Coordination
  • Lower stress levels- An active, healthy body can cope better with daily demands
According to the U.S. Surgeon General regular physical activity improves health in the following ways:
  • Reduces risk of dying prematurely and of dying from heart disease
  • Reduces risk of developing diabetes
  • Reduces risk of developing high blood pressure, as well as reduces blood pressure in people who already have HBP
  • Reduces risk of colon cancer
  • Helps control weight
  • Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints
  • Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling
  • Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
  • Promotes psychological well-being
In addition, three key points-
  • People who are usually inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming even moderately active on a regular basis
  • Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits
  • Greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount (duration, frequency, or intensity) of physical activity
Additional benefits of exercise
  • Reduced risk of osteoporosis
  • Increased blood glucose sensitivity
  • Decreased risk of certain cancers
  • Improved blood panel (cholesterol, blood sugar)
  • Decreased risk of stroke
  • Improves body composition and increases lean muscle mass
  • Decrease risk of obesity
  • Enhances movement (ROM) and functionality
  • Decreases stress
  • Improves self-esteem
  • Lessens pain of arthritis
  • Decreases back and muscular pain
  • Reduces join stiffness and discomfort

Exercise doesn’t have to ‘formalized’ in order to help reduce the risk of disease and premature death.  Often, activities such as gardening or cleaning house could count toward your daily dose.   Do your heart, body and mind well by ‘moving’ often and regularly!