Guest Post: Add life to your years...
Feb
25
Written by:
2/25/2011 2:42 PM
Do you want to add years to your life? Or life to your years?
Feeling your best boosts your zeal for life! Add some activity to your life and reap the benefits of boosting your mental and physical wellness. Take advantage of a sunny day and spend some time outdoors. Sunlight on your skin helps your body produce vitamin D, which brings many added health benefits.
Physical activity boosts mental wellness:
• Regular physical activity can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger.
• Good vibrations, good sensations follow physical activity,
• Most people also note an improvement in general well-being over time during the weeks and months as physical activity becomes a part of your routine.
Exercise increases the flow of oxygen which directly effects the brain. Your mental acuity and memory can be improved with physical activity, important functions for a small business owner.
Physical activity prolongs your optimal health:
• Improves blood circulation, which reduces the risk of heart disease
• Keeps weight under control
• Helps in the battle to quit smoking
• Improves blood cholesterol levels
• Prevents and manages high blood pressure
• Prevents bone loss
• Boosts energy level
• Helps manage stress
• Releases tension
• Promotes enthusiasm and optimism
• Counters anxiety and depression
• Helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly
• Improves self-image
• Increases muscle strength, increasing the ability to do other physical activities
• Provides a way to share an activity with family and friends
• Reduces coronary heart disease in women by 30-40 percent
• Reduces risk of stroke by 20 percent in moderately active people and by 27 percent in highly active ones
• Establishes good heart-healthy habits in children and counters the conditions (obesity, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, poor lifestyle habits, etc.) that lead to heart attack and stroke later in life
• Helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging and maintains quality of life and independence longer for seniors
So why not see for yourself? Once you get over the inertia and find creative ways to fit physical activity into your life, we think you'll agree that the effort to get moving is worth it!
Michele Gervat is the Regional Director, Heart Ball, Golf at American Heart Association. She can be reached at 516-450-9129 or Michele.Gervat@heart.org.