Easy as Health
- Health Information for a Better Life
Why Physical Activity is Important
for You
People need to be active to be healthy. Our modern lifestyle and all
the conveniences we’ve become used to have made us sedentary –and
that’s dangerous for our health. Sitting around in front of the TV
or the computer, riding in the car for even a short trip
to the store and using elevators instead of stairs or ramps all
contribute to our inactivity. Physical inactivity is as dangerous
to our health as smoking!
Add up your activities during the day in
periods of at least 10 minutes each. Start slowly...and build up! If
you’re already doing some light activities, move up to more moderate
ones. A little is good, but more is better, if you want to achieve
health benefits.
What’s the goal?
Scientists say accumulate 60 minutes of physical activity every day
to stay healthy or improve your health. Time needed depends
on effort – as you progress to moderate activities, you can cut down
to 30 minutes, 4 days a week. Physical activity doesn’t have to be
very hard to improve your health. This goal can be reached by
building physical activities into your daily routine. Just add it up
in periods of at least 10 minutes each throughout the day. After
three months of regular physical activity, you will notice a
difference –people often say getting started is the hardest part.
Benefits of regular activity:
• better health
• improved fitness
• better posture and balance
• better self-esteem
• weight control
• stronger muscles and bones
• feeling more energetic
• relaxation and reduced stress
• continued independent living in later life
Health risks of inactivity:
• premature death
• heart disease
• obesity
• high blood pressure
• adult-onset diabetes
• osteoporosis
• stroke
• depression
• colon cancer
Consider adding activity - more time,
more effort, more often. If you are already regularly active, you
can still benefit by adding activity. Generally, the more active you
are, the more benefits you will get.
