Everyone knows that physical activity and exercise are essentials for our health and well-being. If exercise could be given to people as a pill, it would be the most prescribed medicine. Studies suggest that exercise it improves not just physical health but mental health too. In this article we discuss the health benefits of regular exercise.
Firstly, let’s understand the difference between 3 common terms that we sometimes use interchangeably – Physical Activity, Exercise, and Fitness.
ARE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, EXERCISE, AND PHYSICAL FITNESS THE SAME?
The answer is – NO.
Physical activity is any movement of our body produced by our muscles, resulting in energy expenditure. It can be light, moderate, or heavy in intensity, with the amount of energy used in performing them increasing from light to moderate to heavy.
On the other hand, exercise is a subset of physical activity and is planned, structured, and repetitive.
Fitness is an attribute that people have or aim to achieve and which may either be health or skill-related.
Therefore, the objective of exercise is usually improvement or maintenance of physical fitness.
THE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE
Physical activity and exercise, when performed regularly, can help improve the quality of life in the following ways –
1. It may improve the strength of bones, muscles, and joints.
Exercising can help make bones, muscles, and joints healthy and can significantly improve coordination and balance. It may also aid in increasing bone density, thereby decreasing the risk of osteoporosis in adults. Even though exercise is beneficial it is to always advised that you consult a physician before undertaking any exercise routine.
2. It can improve weight management.
. Regular exercise and increased physical activity, along with proper nutrition, can help people lose weight and or maintain a healthy weight.
3. Can help in lowering blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels
Your heart is a muscle too. Regular exercise is associated with lowering of blood cholesterol, resting heart rate and blood pressure level, thereby aiding in preventing heart-related disorders and reducing the risk of a heart attack.
4. It can help lower the risk of certain disorders such as type 2 diabetes and some types of cancers.
A sedentary lifestyle can become a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus and some cancers. Staying physically active and exercising can help in weight management and can improve blood glucose levels.
5. Exercise may be beneficial for your skin.
Exercise improves blood flow. This helps more oxygen reach the skin; and contributes to glowing skin.
6. Lastly, it has many psychological benefits.
Being physically active and exercising regularly can also help you feel better, and improve your mood. Regular physical activity makes you feel more motivated, energetic, relaxed, and positive, you become less prone to stress and anxiety, and can sleep better.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE DURATION OF YOUR EXERCISE?
Lack of adequate physical exercise may predispose an individual to ill-health. Do not forget to consult a physician to know about the exercises you can and cannot perform depending on your age and health condition.
The physical activity required by people may differ depending on their age and health condition. A minimum moderate-intensity physical activity routine of 150 minutes per week is recommended for adults. This can be broken into 30 minutes of activity five days per week. It is useful to have 2 days of strength training like yoga or weight training.
Also, one must keep in mind that a balance between calories a person is consuming and calories burned must be maintained.
SOME EASY WAYS TO BE MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE
- Walk while talking on the phone.
- Always take the stairs.
- Limit your screen time and spend that time exercising.
- Walk or take a bicycle whenever possible. Try taking a walk during your work or study breaks.
- Schedule active weekends, wherein you go for a bike ride with friends or family, or you go running or maybe organize a dance party.
- Try using the app Health Click Away to help you track your physical activity and calories burned.
The app Health Click Away helps you track and monitor your calorie intake and output. It counts the number of footsteps you walk in a day and calculates the calories burned based on the number of steps. Therefore, it keeps you motivated to stay physically active every day, making it easier for you to achieve your daily step goals.
Now it’s easier than ever before to Achieve your Health and fitness goals with Health Click Away!
