Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
Although the world is moving faster than ever, it seems people these days are moving less. Research has found that one in four adults and over 80% of young people do not meet the recommended minimum activity needed for optimum health.
“Not having enough time in the day is one of the most common reasons given for not being able to reach this goal,” said the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO). “At the same time, starting with just 30 minutes of movement a day has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies, and minds.”
According to the United Nations health agency, regular physical activity can help prevent or manage certain diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancers. “It also helps to prevent hypertension, and it reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety,” the WHO pointed out.
Being active also ensures healthy growth and development in young people and staying healthy in later life, the WHO said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agrees. “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health,” CDC explained in its website. “Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”
Brain health
Take the case of your brain health. “Some benefits happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity,” the CDC said. “Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults.”
Regular physical activity, CDC claimed, can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better.
Losing weight
Perhaps one of the benefits of regular physical activity is managing your weight. “You gain weight when you consume more calories through eating and drinking than the amount of calories you burn, including those burned during physical activity,” the CDC said.
To maintain your weight, CDC suggested: Work your way up to 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity, which could include dancing or yard work. You could achieve the goal of 150 minutes a week with 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
To lose weight and keep it off, CDC suggested: You will need a high amount of physical activity unless you also adjust your eating patterns and reduce the amount of calories you’re eating and drinking. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight requires both regular physical activity and healthy eating.
Feel happier
Don’t worry, be happy, so goes a line of a song. But exercise can make you feel happier. “It can increase brain sensitivity to the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which relieve feelings of depression,” wrote healthine.com’s Arlene Semeco. “Additionally, exercise can increase the production of endorphins, which are known to help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain.”
Talking of pain, Semeco wrote: “For many years, the recommendation for treating chronic pain was rest and inactivity. However, recent studies show that exercise helps relieve chronic pain.
“In fact, one review of several studies found that exercise can help those with chronic pain reduce their pain and improve their quality of life. Additionally, physical activity can also raise pain tolerance and decrease pain perception.”
More importantly, exercise can promote a better sex life. “Engaging in regular exercise can strengthen the heart, improve blood circulation, tone muscles, and enhance flexibility, all of which can improve your sex life,” Semeco wrote.
“Physical activity can also improve sexual performance and sexual pleasure while increasing the frequency of sexual activity,” Semeco added.
Quotable quotes
Now, here are some quotable quotes about exercise to inspire to pursue your own regular physical activity:
“The reason I exercise is for the quality of life I enjoy.” – Kenneth H. Cooper
“You have to exercise, or at some point you’ll just break down.” – Barack Obama
“Even when all is known, the care of a man is not yet complete, because eating alone will not keep a man well; he must also take exercise. For food and exercise, while possessing opposite qualities, yet work together to produce health.” – Hippocrates
“When it comes to health and well-being, regular exercise is about as close to a magic potion you can get.” – Tich Nhat Hanh
“Once you are doing exercise regularly, the hardest thing is to stop it.” – Erin Gray
“If you don’t make time for exercise, you’ll probably have to make time for illness.” – Robin Sharma
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will involve the patient in the proper use of food, fresh air, and exercise.” – Thomas Edison
“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I’m addicted to exercising and I have to do something every day.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
“To enjoy the glow of good health, you must exercise.” – Gene Tunney
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise
