It’s the miracle cure we’ve all been waiting for……

It can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.  It’s free, easy to take, has an immediate effect and you don’t need a GP to get some. Its name…………………… Exercise!  Whatever your age, there’s strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and even happier life.  Research shows that physical activity can also affect us mentally; boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  For more information about the benefits of exercise on your Mental Health please see our previous blog.)

So we’ve delivered the convincing sales pitch but how do you achieve the results.  Don’t worry we’ve got you covered:

Infants – who are not yet walking, physical activity may include: 

‘Tummy time’ – this includes any time spent on the stomach including rolling and playing on the floor

Reaching for and grasping objects, pulling, pushing and playing with other people

‘Parent and baby’ swim sessions

Floor-based and water-based play encourages infants to use their muscles and develop motor skills. It also provides valuable opportunities to build social and emotional bonds

 

Benefits:

Develops motor skills / Improves cognitive development / Contributes to a healthy weight / Enhances bone and muscular development / Supports learning of social skills.

 

Adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week, activity should add up to at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more – one way to approach this is to do 30 minutes around 5 days a week.

Alternatively, benefits can be achieved through 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity spread across the week or combinations of moderate and vigorous intensity activity.

Adults should also undertake physical activity to improve muscle strength at least two days a week.

All adults should reduce the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.

Benefits:

Reduces risk of a range of diseases, e.g. coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes / Helps maintain a healthy weight / Helps maintain ability to perform everyday tasks with ease / Improves self-esteem / Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.

 

Older Adults need to do two types of physical activity each week: aerobic and strength exercises.

Older adults who participate in any amount of physical activity will gain some health benefits, including maintenance of good physical and cognitive function.

Some physical activity is better than none, and more physical activity provides greater health benefits.

Older adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week, activity should add up to at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more – one way to approach this is to do 30 minutes around 5 days a week.

Benefits:

Helps maintain cognitive function / Reduces cardiovascular risk / Helps maintain ability to carry out daily living activities / Improves mood and can improve self‑esteem / Reduces the risk of falls

 

So why wouldn’t you choose regular exercise; its free, has immediate effects, reduces illnesses, provides a better quality of life and is readily available ???