Current national guidelines recommend that I exercise at least thirty minutes a day, five days a week. But how am I supposed to fit that in on top of everything else that I do? And does it really matter, anyway?
The answer is, yes, it really does matter. And yes, you and I can find time, each and every day, to be physically active. Physical activity is great for our heart health, our brain health, and our overall mental health. Not to mention, of course, things like our bones. Since it's February, and American Heart Month, let's focus on our hearts. Research has shown that physical activity correlates with health. The less activity you do, the more unhealthy you are.
The answer is, yes, it really does matter. And yes, you and I can find time, each and every day, to be physically active. Physical activity is great for our heart health, our brain health, and our overall mental health. Not to mention, of course, things like our bones. Since it's February, and American Heart Month, let's focus on our hearts. Research has shown that physical activity correlates with health. The less activity you do, the more unhealthy you are.
The most recent physical activity guidelines for Americans, issued by US Department of Health and Human Services in 2008, recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity weekly. That's hard for most of us to do. But it doesn't have to be. You can break it up, for example, into 10 minute increments. You can jog in place while you read the mail. You can walk around your dining room table while you talk to your children. You can march in place while standing in line at the grocery store.
You can do it.
You can do it.
And you should do it. Why? Your heart-health improves with regular physical activity: you'll reduce your risk of dying from heart disease; you'll reduce your risk of having a stroke; you'll reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure (and reduce your blood pressure if you've already been diagnosed with high blood pressure). Have I given you enough reasons yet?
So go on, lace up those sneakers, and I promise, it will make you feel good.
Dr. Elizabeth Ricanati is the director of The Cleveland Clinic's LifeStyle 180 program and a regular columnist for ShareWIK.com
Dr. Elizabeth Ricanati is the director of The Cleveland Clinic's LifeStyle 180 program and a regular columnist for ShareWIK.com
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