WHY YOU NEED REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Physical activity according to WHO is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. This refers to all movement including during leisure time, for transport to get to and from places, or as part of a person’s work. 

Hearing the words “let’s hit the gym” or “let’s run a mile” feels like a knife cut to so many people but research has shown that it is imperative to flex the body muscles at least once every day.
If you sit for a 6 hours, you’re expected to stretch or walk at least for 5-10mins. Physical activity such as this doesn’t just help the circulation of blood, it also feels GOOD.

Let’s not begin with the advantages exercise has on the heart.

“Exercise has a favorable effect on virtually all risk factors of cardiovascular disease,” says Jonathan Meyers, a health research scientist at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health System in California. He says: when a person exercises, the heart muscle contracts forcefully and frequently, increasing blood flow through the arteries.

Regular exercise has several beneficial effects on your body that can improve the function of your musculoskeletal system, your cardiovascular system, your respiratory system, your metabolism, and even your brain. Engaging in regular exercise significantly reduces your odds of developing heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, and some kinds of cancer. People who exercise live longer, and suffer fewer of the chronic illnesses and infirmities that often make old age difficult.

Physical activity is important for a number of reasons that include physical health, longevity, stamina, mood, and more.

1. Exercise prevents excessive weight gain.
   Calorie burn occurs during physical exertion.
   You burn more calories when you engage in more vigorous exercise.
2. Different brain chemicals are stimulated by physical activity, which may make you feel happier, more at ease, and less stressed.
3. Struggling to fall asleep?
   You can sleep better, deeper, and fall asleep more quickly if you exercise regularly.
   Just remember to avoid exercising right before bedtime if you don’t want to be too stimulated to sleep.
4. Regular exercise may increase arousal in women.
   “Exercise has been shown to affect a variety of hormones such as cortisol, estrogen, prolactin, and testosterone, all of which have been linked to sexual arousal in women.
   Additionally, guys who frequently exercise are less likely than those who don’t, to experience erectile dysfunction issues.
5. It can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. It offers an opportunity to socialize and get social support if you exercise with others.
   
   SIMPLE WAYS TO GET IN EXERCISE WITH YOUR DAY

1. Turn TV time into exercise time.
2. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
3. Drink more water. The more water you drink, the more often you’ll have to get up to go to the bathroom. It’s a win-win.
4. Set an alarm to make sure you’re moving every hour.
5. Set an alarm to make sure you’re moving every hour. Park further away from store entrances. This would force you to add extra steps
6. Have a nightly stretch session.
   

Let’s end with some World Health facts.

Did you know Up to 5 million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active? People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active. Infants from 6 months to adults of 90 are all expected to have some form of physical activity.

You do not have to visit the gym (we know you rather not), to move your body. Take a walk, do yard work, add a dance to it, strut a bit or just jump.