The reality is that people have very little time on their hands in contemporary society. Although, exercise plays a crucial role in every person’s life as a way of keeping fit. Physical activity is important not just in order to fit into the right outfit, but to feel our best – inside and out. Now let’s find out the importance of physical activity in healthy lifestyle and how we can include it in our lives.
What is Physical Activity?
Physical activity is any form of exercise and or activity which involves muscle movement and energy expenditure. It covers anything from specific exercise as we may find in jogging and weight lifting to anything that may involve the movement of the body such as walking, gardening, sweeping, or even dusting.
The role of physical activity in healthy lifestyle
Now let’s understand the importance of physical activity and why physical activity is important for a healthy lifestyle
1. Physical Health:
Heart Health: Physical activity is important as it enhances the fitness of the blood vessels particularly the heart since it is one of the main organs that is exercised. The American Heart Association estimates that roughly 30% of cardiovascular disease can be prevented just by performing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly.
Weight Management: Self control of weight is also enhanced through exercise because you use up more energy during the exercise hence burning more calories. According to the CDC, the best way of sustaining a healthy weight for people is by exercising and eating a healthy diet.
Bone and Muscle Strength: Aerobic activities that involve carrying weight on the bones, such as walking as well as weight-lifting decreases the opportunities of having osteoporosis and bone fractures in the older population.
2. Mental Health:
Stress Reduction: Physical activity is known to stimulate the release of endorphins in the body, chemicals that act as natural intermediary for mood elevation. This paper has also revealed that physical activity in healthy lifestyle decreases anxiety and symptoms related to depression.
Improved Sleep: Exercise is found to improve sleep because it facilitates going to sleep and also improving the quality of sleep. An effective night’s sleep is highly important for the physical and mental health of an individual.
Boosted Cognitive Function: Physical activity overall enhances cerebral circulation as well as memory retention. It improves blood circulation in the head area thus improving people’s thinking ability and at the same time minimizing chances of early development of Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases:
At least moderate physical activity should be taken everyday as it decreases the probability of the occurrence of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. For example, the World Health Organization recommends physical activity of minimum 150 minutes a week, which can decrease the risk of these diseases by 30 %.
Incorporating physical activity into your daily life
1. Small Changes Make a Big Difference:
- Stair instead of the elevator.
- If it is possible, better to do some walking or cycling to the workplace.
- Always get down at the nearest station or bus stop and then walk to your final destination.
- Get up from your chair when working at a computer if you are tied to a desk all day and take a break every half an hour.
2. Quick and Easy Workouts:
- Perform 10-15 minutes of cardio High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) which in composes of activities such as jumping jacks, squats, push-ups among other exercises.
- Go for a 30 minute stroll around your community.
- Have a 20-minute yoga or Pilates exercise session.
- Resistance bands are good for doing a brief strength training session when you are at home.
3. Find Activities You Enjoy:
- Try a variety of exercises which you may include dance cardio, hiking, or martial arts as you look for the right workout.
- Take a group trainer class just to ensure that besides the fun of taking a class you also make new friends.
- This physical activity implies that you should find a partner, so as to encourage each other to exercise.
- Fitness apps and websites to find new and interesting classes and workout.
Conclusion
One has to understand the importance of physical activity in healthy lifestyle in order to maintain a healthy body and be free from diseases. There are a lot of advantages it has for the human body both in terms of physical and mental health; it cuts the risk of developing chronic illnesses, boosts up the cardiovascular and bone health, and is said to have a positive impact for the human brain.
Through a few minor modifications in the life of an individual and identifying hobbies that entail physical work, it becomes possible to incorporate aspects of physical activity in healthy lifestyle without much of a struggle.
