Importance of Physical Activity

Physical activity is the most important aspect of the day for many people, but not everyone understands these benefits and how it impacts daily living. Understanding how important it is can help motivate a person who lives a sedentary lifestyle. Here are some simple changes to make in your daily routine to help be more active:

• Regular Physical Activity. One hour of physical activity can positively reduce the risk of chronic disease and illness among other issues that may occur later on in life. The United States is considered the most obese country in the world; so if we teach the younger generations to incorporate 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intense activities each day, it could make an enormous impact. It does not have to be completed at one time, but can be broken up into smaller intervals to adapt to a hectic schedule. It is much easier to stay on track if you have a support system, so take a friend!
  
  
  
• Limit electronic use and time spent on social media. Reduce non-active time spent on watching television and videos, playing computer games, and surfing the Internet. Start with 30 minutes less of such activities per day and progress over the course of approximately five months to 90 minutes less per day.1
• Get outside. There have been studies that prove that exercising outdoors, otherwise known as green physical activity, has positive effects on physical, psychological, and emotional dimensions of health and wellbeing.2 It can be as simple as walking in the park, rather than on a treadmill. This is due to the natural environment, as well as, the elevation changes on the walking path. This study shows growing awareness that exercising in a natural environment could generate a larger variety of benefits that undertake the same exercise levels indoors.2

In conclusion, physical activity can be incorporated in many different ways, keep an open mind and find what works best for you. Your health is your most important project that is always ongoing, so keep changing the routine.

References:

1Janssen, I., & LeBlanc, A. G. (2010). Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. Retrieved May 23, 2016, from http://link.springer.com.zeus.tarleton.edu:82/article/10.1186/1479-5868-7-40

2Yeh, H., Stone, J. A., Churchill, S. M., Wheat, J. S., Brymer, E., & Davids, K. (2015, September 02). Physical, Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Green ... Retrieved May 23, 2016, from http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40279-015-0374-z.pdf