The Importance of Being Active for Overall Health and Wellbeing
Regular physical activity is one of the most beneficial habits you can cultivate for both your body and mind. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. This helps reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. The benefits, however, go beyond disease prevention.
Being physically active enhances mental wellbeing by boosting mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Mayo Clinic highlights how exercise stimulates the release of endorphins—hormones that promote feelings of happiness. Additionally, exercise improves sleep quality, helps maintain a healthy weight, and strengthens muscles and bones, making daily tasks easier and reducing the risk of falls in older adults.
Research also points to the cognitive benefits of regular exercise. Numerous studies confirms that physical activity has been linked to better memory and cognitive function, even reducing the risk of developing dementia.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that even small amounts of physical activity can improve your health. Simple activities like walking, gardening, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can accumulate to provide meaningful health benefits.
Incorporating regular movement into your life doesn't require extreme effort or expensive equipment. It’s about building habits that can significantly enhance both your physical and mental wellbeing.
References
Being physically active enhances mental wellbeing by boosting mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. The Mayo Clinic highlights how exercise stimulates the release of endorphins—hormones that promote feelings of happiness. Additionally, exercise improves sleep quality, helps maintain a healthy weight, and strengthens muscles and bones, making daily tasks easier and reducing the risk of falls in older adults.
Research also points to the cognitive benefits of regular exercise. Numerous studies confirms that physical activity has been linked to better memory and cognitive function, even reducing the risk of developing dementia.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that even small amounts of physical activity can improve your health. Simple activities like walking, gardening, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can accumulate to provide meaningful health benefits.
Incorporating regular movement into your life doesn't require extreme effort or expensive equipment. It’s about building habits that can significantly enhance both your physical and mental wellbeing.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2023. Physical Activity Guidelines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov-physical-activity-basics-guidelines-
- Mayo Clinic. 2023. Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org-healthy-lifestyle-fitness-in-depth-exercise-art-20048389
- World Health Organization (WHO). 2020. Physical activity. Available at: https://www.who.int-news-room-fact-sheets-detail-physical-activity
Disclaimer
The contents of this article the intellectual property of Alula Health and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Alula. The information provided in the articles is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases or other medical conditions. Although some content may be generated by AI (ChatGPT (Open AI, https://chat.openai.com)), all articles are critically reviewed and approved by skilled human editors to ensure its accuracy, authenticity and validity.
The contents of this article the intellectual property of Alula Health and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Alula. The information provided in the articles is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases or other medical conditions. Although some content may be generated by AI (ChatGPT (Open AI, https://chat.openai.com)), all articles are critically reviewed and approved by skilled human editors to ensure its accuracy, authenticity and validity.