Nowadays it’s more likely that people lead less active lifestyles than earlier generations. The rise of computer games and hours spent in front of the TV watching movies and box sets, a heavy reliance on the use of cars and public transport has meant that fewer people are moving less in their everyday lives.
Surprisingly, adults can spend most of their day sitting down, which can include working at their desk, at home watching TV and travel time to and from work. Taking gentle exercise 3 times a week for up to 30 minutes at a time can improve your health over time. You may want to start slow in the beginning, but can later increase this to 5 days a week to really reap the full health benefits of exercise.
There seems to be a common misconception that you have to go to the gym to get in a decent workout, but exercise includes a whole range of movement. This may include dancing, hiking, walking, cycling, swimming, basically anything that gets your heart pumping. The most important thing is that you enjoy what you are doing to be more active, which in return will yield better results over time as you are more likely keep it up.
Whether you are young or old, if you are physically able then the advantages of exercise on your general health and well-being are amazing. Here are my top 5 health benefits for being more active:
Helps to reduce stress
For me personally, exercise is a nice break away from everyday stresses. It’s time to myself to forget about the world for a short while and perhaps think a couple of things over. The rush of endorphins after a good workout always puts me in a great mood too.
Improved blood supply
Blood flow is better when you exercise because the blood vessels dilate to allow the delivery of oxygen to your working muscles. This increase in blood circulation also means that there is an increase in the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cells in your body.
Prevents the onset of osteoporosis
Exercising as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes a diet that consists of a good calcium intake can help build strong bones. Mainly running, walking and strength training are thought to be the best exercises to prevent osteoporosis.
Reduces blood cholesterol
Exercise can cut the levels of LDL cholesterol. This particular type of lipoprotein enables the transport of lipids such as cholesterol in the blood and is regularly associated with the onset of cardiovascular disease.
Increase in muscle strength
By including weight training as part of your exercise routine, you will progressively improve your muscle tone and strength. Lighter weights are best to start with and after a few weeks you could increase the number of sets and repetitions before increasing your weights to challenge your body more.
Other benefits include better sleeping patterns, enhanced brain function, reduction in blood pressure and improved heart health to name just a few.
Many people feel that they are short on time to fit exercise into their daily routine or despite their best intentions they lose motivation. Check out my post on how to stay motivated for some hints and tips on this. It’s never too late to take up exercise, but rather than going in head first perhaps start slowly. Over time, once you have figured out a routine you can build up slowly to gradually build up your fitness levels.
Do you feel that sometimes you spend too much time sitting down? How do you like to keep active?
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Walking is such an easy way to get exercise, I really don’t understand why people don’t do more of it – walk instead of taking the car on short journeys, get of the bus / tube etc one stop before you need to and walk – don’t get on the bus / tube at all. I guess I was lucky, it was ingrained in me when I was little and had to walk everywhere. Living in the countryside, public transport was pretty much non-existent.
Walking is my favourite exercise at the moment. It’s so nice just to get out, see the sites and get some fresh air.
I totally agree with this post! I cant wait to get back into it properly when I’ve had the Baby
xXx
Same here. Good luck with your little one. 🙂
I try to do some kind if activity everyday even if it’s just a small walk, being a trainer I not only love exercise but it’s my job to be active!
I guess for you this really isn’t a problem at all. 🙂
Great tips – I have a pull up bar in my flat so when i need to move attempt a few pull up or grab my hula hoop as that always makes me smile too!
What a great idea! I love that moving makes you happy, hula hooping does sound fun.
Stress is the biggest reason that I workout. Running is the best therapy for me.
Running is fab for blowing way the cobwebs. I can’t wait to get back into it. 🙂
I definitely spend too much time sitting down. That’s the downside of a desk job! I do try to take walks whenever I can, either during lunch or after work!
Great that you try and make the effort to move around at work. I love going for lunch time walks too. 🙂
Just getting up and moving is SO important. I can tell a huge difference in the way I feel on days that I end up sitting most of the day vs days when I’m up and active at least a couple of times!
For sure. Moving around can make such a huge difference.
My job is pretty good for that as I don’t sit at a desk- I tend to be moving about a lot. But on the days I am doing planning or writing reports or marking then I am sat for a very long time- I try to make myself get up and move about a bit as I get so stiff otherwise. I love going for a walk in the evening but sometimes we just do not have the time.
It can be hard to squeeze in sometimes. Great to hear that you get to move around a lot at work though. I think that can make a real difference.