How to Be Active at Any Age: Move More, Sit Less
Americans should sit less and move more, even if that activity comes in tiny chunks, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ new physical activity guidelines. The guidelines urge Americans to get at least 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise (such as running), at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) or some combination of the two every week. In addition, the guidelines say adults should aim to complete muscle-strengthening activities, such as resistance training or weight-lifting, at least two days per week. adults to simply “move more and sit less throughout the day,” and reminding them that “some physical activity is better than none.” This is why it is important for everyone to discover how to be active, and it is is never too late to start.
The Importance of Physical Activity
Physical activity and exercise provides immediate and long-term health benefits. For example, exercise improves your health and can reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Most importantly, regular activity can improve your quality of life and longevity. In other words, staying active can add years to your life and add life to your years. If you want to learn how to be active no matter your age or where you are, check out these tips from Dedication Health. If you have a health problem like heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, talk to your doctor about the types and amounts of physical activity that are right for you.
How to Be Active at Home
Finding small ways to bring exercise into your routine is an easy first step to living a healthy, active lifestyle. Even when you can’t make it to the gym, there are many exercises you can do at home. It’s okay to sit in front of the television and watch your favorite shows, but why not set a goal for yourself to incorporate a few exercises? For example, you can watch a movie while you jog on a treadmill or while you ride a stationary bike. In addition, make the most out of household chores such as cleaning the house, washing the car, or mowing the lawn with a push mower. All of these activities count toward your weekly exercise goal when you are learning how to be active at home.
How to Be Active at Work
Millions of Americans have jobs that require you to sit at a desk for several hours per day. Unfortunately, there are several health risks associated with sitting down for prolonged periods. Adding physical activity to your workday can reduce some of those health risks. For this reason, it’s important to know how to be active in the workplace. The best way to be more active at work is by simply reminding yourself to get up and move more.
Moving more sounds like an obvious action to take when trying to be less sedentary. However, it’s easy for hours to fly when focusing on a project resulting in no movement at all. To prevent this, set an alarm to remind you to take a quick activity break. Also, take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can. You can also walk or ride a bike to work if you live close enough. If not, consider parking your car further away to get in a short walk as you’re coming in and leaving. It can also be helpful to stand up as much as possible while you are working and stretch throughout the day.
How to Be Active As You Age
Being active can help you feel younger and stay healthier well into your later years. As you get older, wear and tear on joints and muscles can turn a once enjoyable exercise regimen into a painful experience. Or make it difficult for you to start a new routine if you don’t already exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean that you should just forget about fitness in your later years, however. Regular exercise slows the loss of muscle mass, strengthens bones, and reduces joint and muscle pain. In addition, mobility and balance are improved, which reduces the risk of falling and suffering a serious injury. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or an exercise novice, you can still get the benefits of exercise simply by learning how to be active and adapting what you like to do to your capabilities.
Improve Your Health, Join Dedication Health
For more doctor-recommended health tips, talk to your primary care physician. If you are looking to improve your health and are located near Chicago, consider becoming a member at Dedication Health. As a concierge medical practice, we provide patients with a higher level of care and enhanced member services and perks. With concierge medicine, you have unrestricted access to your doctor and receive personalized, preventative care. This can contribute to better health long-term. To learn more about our concierge medical practice or join our practice, give Dedication Health a call today. You can reach our office at 847-986-6770 now. You may also complete our online contact form and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible. Dedication Health is conveniently located at 710 Oak St, Winnetka, IL 60093 in Chicago’s North Shore.
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