Skipping Rides May Be Good for Health
By Tom Herrin
Even though there are many ways to do things a little easier these days, making choices to go to a little more effort to be active can pay off in the long run. Studies have found that people don't have to launch elaborate exercise programs in order to maintain good health. Taking advantage of the opportunity to add a few more steps each day to the routine can build health and help to prevent some common problems. It may be just a matter of developing a mindset to do them. The other important thing is to begin today to make those changes.
You Are Seldom Too Old
Even though many people may convince themselves otherwise, age really is a state of mind. In recent years, there have been a lot of catchphrases to the effect that 50 is the new 30 or 60 is the new 40. These references are obviously intended to point out that people are becoming more educated about their health and increasing their activity. In a study from the journal Hypertension, it was found that among a group of people 55 to 80 who were sedentary and overweight or obese, walking 30 minutes in the morning seemed to reduce their blood pressure throughout the day.
Never Retire From Life
It is recommended that people 65 and older get around 2 1/2 hours of exercise per week. It is unfortunate that fewer than 20 percent of that population is believed to do that. It can be relatively moderate exercise such as walking or something similar. Starting out slow and easy can do much. If people feel so inspired, they can add to this or increase the intensity, but it is actually not that necessary. Some studies have shown that people can reap benefits from as little as three minutes at a time every half hour. There are all kinds of combinations, but doing something -- anything -- is the most important thing.
Add Steps to Common Activities
I have found that one of the easiest ways to increase exercise is to simply do a little more walking whenever I do anything. This may be taking the stairs instead of the elevator or making an extra loop in the supermarket before I pick anything up. I almost always try to park as far as possible toward the edge of a parking lot when I go to the store. I may even walk to the store two blocks down the road when I need to pick up some small item. Those few additional steps can make a difference.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Elk Grove, Calif.