Let Your Walks Be Simple and Healthy
By Tom Herrin
There is nothing wrong with looking for the easiest way to go about making improvements in health. Even though for many, the first thought that pops into their heads is ideas of a lot of sweat and near exhaustion, everything is not so cut and dried as that. Some of the most effective changes that can be made may be those small, subtle things that can add up much faster than it appears. In this age of technology, it seems that people go to great lengths to minimize labor. While that may help in some ways, it may mean that people make much less effort to do normal daily activities. In time, those conveniences can catch up with anyone. The simple fact is that a little exercise may go a long way.
Age May Be Bad in More Ways Than One
A lot of people fear getting older. No one wants to feel that they are less capable of doing things, but almost everyone seems to get on the bandwagon of seeking out every way they can think of to do less. Simple math alone should let them know that if they do less, they will soon be less able to do things. Trying to save effort on those mundane activities can backfire. The next thing they know, they may find themselves struggling physically to do those little things. It has been said that fewer than 20 percent of those 65 and older get the amount of exercise that is suggested. That amount is actually less than three hours per week. Breaking that down, that may be only a few minutes per day of exercise to receive some good physical benefits.
Short Spurts Can Do Some Good Things
According to one study from the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, even when older adults exercised less than 30 minutes per day, they cut their risk of cardio-related disease by 14 percent as compared to those who were sedentary. There has been some evidence that people may walk only a few minutes several times per day and see progress in their overall health. It is important for anyone and everyone to find ways to continue to include activity in their day.
Plan Ahead for a Little Extra Exercise
I try to find ways to get in a little exercise when I am doing very ordinary things. I may park at the edge of a parking lot so I will walk a little farther when shopping, or I may try to make extra trips when I am carrying something. I figure that whatever I can do to keep myself moving can do just that. As a result, it is always a good feeling to be up and moving around. Try to find ways to do more as well. It may pay off big in the long run.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Bluffton, S.C.