The new saying, “why sitting is the new smoking,” has been floating around the internet for some time now. What it’s implying is that sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, some cancers, diabetes and mental health issues. After a long winter of hibernation, it is time to spring into action and move our bodies!
Here are 5 benefits of movement:
- Maintains and increases the function of our bones, muscles and joints: Exercise that allows our bodies to move freely and actively is extremely important for joint health, bone health, tendon/ligament support and muscle strength throughout the body. Basically, it is true when they say, “Move it or lose it!” Keeping active via weight training, cycling, yoga, swimming, etc. will help improve your overall stability, balance and coordination. It keeps your bones strong, which may help minimize the chances of osteoporosis as we age. It also helps maintain or improve your flexibility and range of motion.
- May assist in a good night’s sleep: Regular exercise can promote sleep quality and minimize disruptions by inducing a deeper and more restful sleep. Exercise may also help reduce anxiety and stress by releasing chemicals called endorphins which interact with our brain to reduce the perception of pain and stress. These endorphins evoke a positive feeling in our mind creating a calmness which may allow us to fall asleep faster. It is important, however, to be mindful as to when and how much exercise you do (varies from person to person) so that you avoid the chance of disturbing your sleep.
- Improves your mental health: Exercise not only benefits our muscles and joints! It has a huge impact on our mental health, overall wellness and happiness. As discussed above, the release of endorphins while exercising can put a smile on our faces and keep us in a positive mood. It also increases our energy levels, boosts our confidence, and helps us manage or reduce feelings of depression and stress.
- May resolve sources of pain: What is often misunderstood is that when our body is deconditioned, we start to develop pain due to instability at the joints and weakness within the muscles. Exercising a few times a week can help minimize this from happening, thus resolving sources of pain. It is best to pick a form of exercise that is right for you and, if possible, seek out a professional to assist you in developing a well-rounded exercise program.
- Keeps you independent: We all want to remain independent and live in our homes for as long as we can. Maintaining or improving our strength, mental health and overall well-being through different means of exercise is the best way to do so.
Remember, invest in your health!
Take some time every day to incorporate 10, 20, 30 minutes or more of exercise into your life. Whether walking your dog, going for a hike with friends or participating in your favourite yoga class, these will all help keep you moving!!