For better health, you must exercise regularly. Evidently, all scientists agree on this matter.
But worldwide, many
people do not get enough exercise. Technology is partly to blame. In the past, most things were done by manual labour, which exercises the body. Nowadays, many use machines and hardly ever sweat. Television and video games promote a
sedentary lifestyle among children.
Lack of enough exercise causes health and financial problems. It leads to anxiety, high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, obesity, and other serious health problems. Businesses suffer; physically inactive workers have more days off work. Countries spend heavily on health-care costs linked to physical inactivity. Example: In the year 2000, the United States spent 76 billion dollars.
Regular exercise benefits everyone, including children and the elderly. For children: It helps develop strong bones and muscles and prevents obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and greater anxiety. For senior citizens: It improves mental alertness, balance, emotional health, the speed of recovery from illness, gastro-intestinal and liver functions, metabolism, the immune system, bone density, and energy level. It enables all to attain optimum health, including a feeling of emotional and mental well-being.
Knowing the benefits of adequate physical activity, several countries, such as Australia, Brazil, Japan, South Africa, and the United States, have initiated programmes to educate their citizenry about the benefits of regular exercise and the negative consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
What is a sedentary lifestyle? You are sedentary if you do not exercise for at least 30 minutes three times weekly, if you are stationary during leisure activities, if you seldom walk over 100 metres daily, if you are usually seated when awake, if your job requires little physical activity.
How much exercise is “enough”? Sixty -- or at least 30 -- minutes of vigorous physical activity each day. If you cannot do it at a single stretch, you may divide the time into brief periods – say, from three to six ten-minute sessions every day. The keys: moderation and regularity.
What form of exercise should you engage in? There are several options: bicycling, brisk walking, jogging, stair climbing, swimming, weightlifting, et cetera. Also: if your job is sedentary, move around whenever possible.
Warnings: Exercise causes dehydration, which can be harmful; drink water before, during, and after each exercise session. Before beginning an exercise regimen, consult a doctor.
Regular exercise is necessary for life – just as food and sleep are. Both if you neglect to exercise and if you “over-exercise,” you harm yourself. So, balance is needed. Remember: You need from 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. Make time to exercise without neglecting other daily necessaries. Any adjustments you may make in sustaining a programme of daily exercise will be worth it – you will surely be rewarded with better health, regardless of your age.