Shooting Low May Still Improve Health
By Tom Herrin
Most of the time, when anyone thinks of setting goals, they likely think of setting their targets high. Of course, this is so that falling short can still bring about good results. For those wanting to do something to get healthier, there is really no way of getting around movement and activity. It is a critical part of helping the human body to function properly. The good news is that the activity does not have to be all that heavy. Simply increasing some of the ordinary activities people do daily may be enough to boost health and head off some common problems.
Doing a Little More May Work
It is unfortunate that so many people have the attitude that if they can't go all the way, they just won't do anything. This could not be further from the truth. A study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine indicated that those who walked only a total of two hours per week reduced their chances of an early death 26 percent as compared to those who were sedentary. That amounts to only minutes per day. Most people can do that without altering their routine.
Older Adults May Retire From Living
When many people retire, they feel they can basically hang it up for good. Retirement should not mean stopping all activity. It should be a time in which they may be able to depart from the daily grind, but staying healthy and active are still important. It has been suggested that adults 65 or older should get at least 2 1/2 hours per week of moderate exercise to stay healthy. This is believed to help maintain blood pressure, protect against heart disease and some cancers, and provide a defense against several other health problems. The bad part is that it is thought that fewer than 20 percent of those in that age group get the recommended amount of exercise.
Take Charge of Your Own Health
None of us has to follow any prescribed program. We may follow a few suggestions. The key is to be active and do so on a regular basis. Our exercise may be every bit as useful in small segments. I try to find ways to include a few more steps any time I do something. I may walk to the corner store rather than drive. I take the stairs when I get the chance. I also never mind parking at the outer edge of a parking lot and walking some extra steps to the door of the supermarket or other store.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Goleta, Calif.