5 tips to keep active for good health
QUESTION: What’s the common denominator amongst these typical activities that occur during most people’s day to day life?
- Watching an episode on Netflix.
- Writing an email to a friend or colleague.
- Reading a book.
ANSWER: All of these activities are considered to be ‘sedentary’ behaviours! Sedentary behaviour refers to any activity characterised by spending too much time being inactive.
Did you know that it is recommended by Australian Government’s Department of Health that people of all walks of life have at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day to help reduce the effects of sedentary lifestyles? 20 minutes goes by in the blink of an eye for many of us, especially when our minds are engaged or focused on a task at hand. Just 20 minutes of physical activity per day can improve bone and joint health, improve muscle strength, maintain a healthy heart and lungs, improve coordination, improve flexibility, and maintain a healthy body weight. The combination of these positive factors reduces the risk of developing preventable disease later in life.
If that is not enough to get you moving, consider these other positive benefits associated with increasing your daily dose of physical activity:
- Having better confidence with your mobility
- Sleeping better at night
- Improving your concentration
- Making friends while you move
5 TOP TIPS TO KEEP ACTIVE
Move more, sit less and get stronger!
- When walking to the mail box, go visit the neighbour at the same time.
- When you are cooking or getting up from your chair add in a few leg squats.
- If you have gone to the shops, park the car a little further away so you have to walk the extra distance.
- Use the time watching TV to have a stretch on the floor or in the chair.
- Dance to your favourite songs!
Health and fitness should be on everyone’s mind, and 20 minutes per day is achievable for most people to incorporate some form of physical activity into their day to day lives.
Contact your friendly Physio team at SSRG to learn how physical activity can benefit YOU!