Move More and Sit Less
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | May 1st, 2023
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and I want to encourage all to start exercising. The second edition the Physical Activity Guidelines is now available and is a great resource for those who are not yet convinced about the importance of exercise. Everyone can exercise and everyone should exercise.
Here are the facts:
- Adults need at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity like brisk walking or fast dancing, each week. Adults also need muscle-strengthening activity , like lifting weights or doing push-ups at least 2 days each week.
- Although you can work towards the above, we now know that any amount of physical activity has some health benefits even if it as little as 5 minutes.
- Physical activity can reduce anxiety and blood pressure and improve quality of sleep and insulin sensitivity
- Physical activity has long term benefits like prevention of certain cancers, reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, lowers the risk of injuries from falls, reduces the risk of postpartum depression and reduces the risk if excessive weight gain.
- Exercise is helpful with disease management like decreasing pain with osteoarthritis, reducing disease progression of type 2 diabetes, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving cognition for those with dementia, multiple sclerosis, ADHD, and Parkinson’s disease.
If you already have an exercise routine, keep doing it. For those who do not, you can click here for the Move Your Way resources and the interactive Move Your Way Activity Planner.
