Physical activities/exercise are a great way to improve your physical and mental wellbeing and can help reduce the risk developing diseases like cancer or type 2 diabetes.
If you are regularly physically active, you may:
- reduce your risk of a heart attack
- manage your weight better
- have a lower blood cholesterol level
- lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers
- have lower blood pressure
- have stronger bones, muscles and joints and lower risk of developing osteoporosis
- lower your risk of falls
- recover better from periods of hospitalisation or bed rest
- feel better – with more energy, a better mood, feel more relaxed and sleep better.
Numerous studies have shown that exercise gives you a healthier mind set, particularly reducing the development of depression
- Exercise may block negative thoughts or distract you from daily worries.
- Exercising with others provides an opportunity for increased social contact.
- Increased fitness may lift your mood and improve your sleep patterns.
- Exercise may also change levels of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, endorphins, and stress hormones.
Through years of research, it is recommended to do a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity a day, whether that be moderate or intense, this is up to you. You can start slowly and build yourself up, try getting off a bus stop earlier than usual and walk a bit further, or cycle if you can to where you are going.
