Importance of Physical activity and healthy living
Physical activity and healthy living are important for many reasons,
including:
For Physical health
Regular physical activity can help prevent and manage many diseases, including
heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. It can also help
maintain bone density, improve balance, and reduce the risk of falls and
injuries.
For Mental health
Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood and
sleep. It can also help improve cognitive function, such as the ability to shift
between tasks or plan an activity.
For Weight management
Physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of
excessive weight gain.
For Pain relief
Physical activity can help reduce chronic pain, including pain from chronic low
back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic soft tissue shoulder disorder.
For Quality of life
Physical activity can improve overall quality of life and well-being.
For Decreased risk of Cancer
Regular physical activity may be associated with a decreased risk of cancer
recurrence and death from cancer.
Health professionals recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
physical activity on most days. This can be combined with vigorous activity, or a
combination of both.
Benefits of physical activity
Aid in weight management
Improve sleep
Hypertension
Decreases stress
Exercise boosts energy
Improved cholesterol Increase life span
Develop muscles and bones
Healthy muscles
Improve fitness
Improved brain health and cognition
Reduced risk of falls
Depression
Arthritis
Improve mood
Improves heart function and blood flow
Physical activity reduces heart attack risk
Reduces disease
Benefits of regular physical activity
If you are regularly physically active, you may:
reduce your risk of a heart attack
manage your weight better
have a lower blood cholesterol level
lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers
have lower blood pressure
have stronger bones, muscles and joints and lower risk of
developing osteoporosis
lower your risk of falls
recover better from periods of hospitalisation or bed rest
Feel better – with more energy, a better mood, feel more relaxed
and sleep better.
A healthier state of mind
A number of studies have found that exercise helps depression. There are many
views as to how exercise helps people with depression:
Exercise may block negative thoughts or distract you from daily worries.
Exercising with others provides an opportunity for increased social
contact.
Increased fitness may lift your mood and improve your sleep patterns.
Exercise may also change levels of chemicals in your brain, such as
serotonin, endorphins and stress hormones. Here are just a few ways physical activity can help you feel better, look
better and live better.
It’s a natural mood lifter.
Regular physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, depression and anger. You
know that feel-good sensation you get after doing something physical? Think of
it as a happy pill with no side effects! Most people notice they feel better over
time as physical activity becomes a regular part of their lives.
It keeps you physically fit and able.
Without regular activity, your body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability
to function properly. It’s like the old saying: You don’t stop moving from
growing old; you grow old from stopping moving. Exercise increases muscle
strength, which in turn increases your ability to do other physical activities.
It helps keep the doctor away.
Stand up when you eat your apple a day! Too much sitting and other sedentary
activities can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies show that
adults who watch more than two hours of television a day can have a higher risk
of death from cardiovascular disease.
Being more active may help you:
Lower your blood pressure
Boost your levels of good cholesterol
Improve blood flow (circulation)
Keep your weight under control
Prevent bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis
This can add up to fewer medical expenses, interventions and medications later
in life!
It can help you live longer.
It’s true – 70 is the new 60, but only if you’re healthy. Physical activity may help
you live longer, and those extra years are generally healthier years! Staying active
helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging. So
active adults maintain their quality of life and independence longer as they age.
Some other benefits you may get with regular physical activity:
Helps you quit smoking and stay tobacco-free
Boosts your energy level so you can get more done
Helps you manage stress and tension Promotes a positive attitude and outlook
Helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly
Improves your self-image and self-confidence
Helps you spend more time outdoors.
Physical activity and healthy living are important for many reasons,
including:
For Physical health
Regular physical activity can help prevent and manage many diseases, including
heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. It can also help
maintain bone density, improve balance, and reduce the risk of falls and
injuries.
For Mental health
Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood and
sleep. It can also help improve cognitive function, such as the ability to shift
between tasks or plan an activity.
For Weight management
Physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of
excessive weight gain.
For Pain relief
Physical activity can help reduce chronic pain, including pain from chronic low
back pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic soft tissue shoulder disorder.
For Quality of life
Physical activity can improve overall quality of life and well-being.
For Decreased risk of Cancer
Regular physical activity may be associated with a decreased risk of cancer
recurrence and death from cancer.
Health professionals recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
physical activity on most days. This can be combined with vigorous activity, or a
combination of both.
Benefits of physical activity
Aid in weight management
Improve sleep
Hypertension
Decreases stress
Exercise boosts energy
Improved cholesterol Increase life span
Develop muscles and bones
Healthy muscles
Improve fitness
Improved brain health and cognition
Reduced risk of falls
Depression
Arthritis
Improve mood
Improves heart function and blood flow
Physical activity reduces heart attack risk
Reduces disease
Benefits of regular physical activity
If you are regularly physically active, you may:
reduce your risk of a heart attack
manage your weight better
have a lower blood cholesterol level
lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers
have lower blood pressure
have stronger bones, muscles and joints and lower risk of
developing osteoporosis
lower your risk of falls
recover better from periods of hospitalisation or bed rest
Feel better – with more energy, a better mood, feel more relaxed
and sleep better.
A healthier state of mind
A number of studies have found that exercise helps depression. There are many
views as to how exercise helps people with depression:
Exercise may block negative thoughts or distract you from daily worries.
Exercising with others provides an opportunity for increased social
contact.
Increased fitness may lift your mood and improve your sleep patterns.
Exercise may also change levels of chemicals in your brain, such as
serotonin, endorphins and stress hormones. Here are just a few ways physical activity can help you feel better, look
better and live better.
It’s a natural mood lifter.
Regular physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, depression and anger. You
know that feel-good sensation you get after doing something physical? Think of
it as a happy pill with no side effects! Most people notice they feel better over
time as physical activity becomes a regular part of their lives.
It keeps you physically fit and able.
Without regular activity, your body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability
to function properly. It’s like the old saying: You don’t stop moving from
growing old; you grow old from stopping moving. Exercise increases muscle
strength, which in turn increases your ability to do other physical activities.
It helps keep the doctor away.
Stand up when you eat your apple a day! Too much sitting and other sedentary
activities can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies show that
adults who watch more than two hours of television a day can have a higher risk
of death from cardiovascular disease.
Being more active may help you:
Lower your blood pressure
Boost your levels of good cholesterol
Improve blood flow (circulation)
Keep your weight under control
Prevent bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis
This can add up to fewer medical expenses, interventions and medications later
in life!
It can help you live longer.
It’s true – 70 is the new 60, but only if you’re healthy. Physical activity may help
you live longer, and those extra years are generally healthier years! Staying active
helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging. So
active adults maintain their quality of life and independence longer as they age.
Some other benefits you may get with regular physical activity:
Helps you quit smoking and stay tobacco-free
Boosts your energy level so you can get more done
Helps you manage stress and tension Promotes a positive attitude and outlook
Helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly
Improves your self-image and self-confidence
Helps you spend more time outdoors.