It very much feels like Spring’s here and now the sun’s out it’s time to get moving! Movement will influence just about every function of the body and there are all sorts of benefits to regular physical activity.
No doubt it’s tricky to get moving with our modern, tech- filled lifestyles. But it’s vital to add in any lifestyle changes you can. Muscles and joints are designed to move. Regular moderate exercise that involves full movement of every joint can delay or even halt arthritic changes. Being sat down for hours at a time causes joint stiffness and muscle pain. Keeping muscles active means more strength and less pain.
Look to add movement by taking breaks through the day to walk for a few minutes. Do the same when at home watching TV by getting up during the adverts. Always use stairs, not the escalator or lift – come on you’ve got legs! Make the most of the weekends – run, cycle, swim, garden, hike, kayak – whatever floats your boat! Motivation can always be an issue, it doesn’t matter what activity you do – so long as you enjoy it. Set some challenges too. Couch to 5k is a good one, or go online to see what competitions are around for your sport.
Regular exercise will:
- Reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cancer by 50%
- Lower the risk of early death by 30%
- Lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by 35%
- Boost self-esteem and mood
- Improve sleep quality and energy
- Reduce stress
- Reduce the risk of depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Reduce the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture by 83% and 68% respectively
- Reduce the risk of falls (among the elderly) by 30%
(https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/)
The NHS recommends being active every day, even just walking. Aim for 2.5 hours of varied activity in the week, as long as your heart rate is up and you’re breathing faster – this is moderate exercise. The benefits of intense exercise are even greater still.
If you feel like you’re body’s holding you back from your exercise goals then book in to see you Chiropractor! And if you’re struggling even to walk then you definitely need to book in!
Reference: UCA, NHS