The once in a hundred-year subzero weather we had some weeks ago has quickly given way to bright spring days and hopefully a spring in your step.  With the warmer temperatures and bright sunny days, wiping away the winter cobwebs can be just an exercise away.  The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore.  Everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of age or physical ability.

Let us talk about how exercise can lead to a happier, healthier you.  Exercise helps prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss.  It is not about the regular trips to the gym; any activity is good and being consistent is the key.  A walk around the block or the office building during lunch is great activity without the commitment of huge blocks of time. Regular exercise helps prevent or manage many health problems, which includes stroke, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, and anger.   It can also help improve cognitive function and leave you feeling happier. It helps keep the doctor away just like an apple a day but stand up when you eat your apple! Too much sitting and other sedentary activities can increase your risk of heart disease.  Studies show that adults who watch more than 4 hours of television a day had an 80% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Exercise can help you live longer.  Staying active helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging. Active adults maintain their quality of life and independence longer as they age.

It can be easy to get more exercise from even simple activities.  Just move more and sit less.  You do not have to make big life changes to see the benefits. Just start building more activity into your day, one step at a time.

The Nurse.