The Little Things May Make Big Differences in Health
By Tom Herrin
While most of us likely feel as if we need to take major steps to improve our health, it isn't always as necessary as that. Many have begun one of those heavy workout programs only to burn out after a while. This becomes unproductive and may sometimes lead to discouragement. When they see little or no results, people may give up. The truth is that one of the most effective ways to exercise is to simply enhance what they already do. In other words, expand the simple things so that they can create a little more opportunity to exercise. When this happens, they can get in quality activity without feeling as if they have to make large changes in their daily routines.
Retirement May Be the Enemy
Most people look forward to retirement as if it is the pinnacle of success. For them, it may seem that they have earned the right to do nothing. That may sound great, but it can get old and leave people in poorer health. It has been estimated that, of individuals 65 and older, fewer than 20 percent of them get the recommended amount of exercise. That recommendation is around 2 1/2 hours per week of moderate exercise. This is thought to be enough to help manage blood pressure, prevent heart disease and some cancers, and avoid several other health issues.
Look for the Extra Steps
Rather than always trying to find ways to save steps, it may be much better for health to make a few extra steps. They may be so few that they will hardly be noticed. A study revealed in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology observed that even those who exercised less than 30 minutes per day had significant improvement in health as compared to those who were inactive.
Increasing Activity May Be Easier Than You Thought
I try to identify things I already do and add a few steps to them. I may take the stairs instead of the elevator. I may park at the edge of the parking lot of a store so that I will walk a little farther to get to the door. Even doing things such as making a loop around the block when I bring in the mail can help. If I can walk someplace I normally drive to, I will. Those steps can add up quickly and provide a good boost for health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.