May is National Physical Activity and Sports Month!
Physical activity and exercise are incredibly beneficial for your overall health and wellness. It decreases your risk of many types of chronic conditions, decreases chronic pain, and improves stress and anxiety. It is also highly beneficial for sleep quality, cognitive function, and successful weight management!
Physical activity does not have to be boring! Many think of exercise as a treadmill or lifting weights. For some, that is enjoyable and fun. For others, not so much. Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving! Chores, errands, and even playing with your kids or pets counts as movement.
Here are some easy and fun ways to incorporate more movement in May:
1. Take 10: instead of trying to find an hour to dedicate to activity each day, do 10 minutes at a time! This can be as simple as a quick walk around the office or neighborhood, or a short stretching routine.
2. Mix it up: Try to add variety with your movement if you’re someone who gets bored easily. Find a group fitness class that you enjoy, go for a swim at the pool, take a yoga class, walk with friends, or find an adult sports league.
3. Enjoy the outdoors: Something simple like a nature walk, or water sports like canoeing or kayaking are great ways to get moving during the warmer months. It’s also a great way to get some Vitamin D!
4. Find support: Whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker, or stranger, engaging in activity with someone is often more fun! Consider joining a group or challenging a friend.
5. Look for wellness at work: Many workplaces have wellness programs that you can take advantage of. Some offices even participate in sports leagues like softball, volleyball, or soccer!
Staying physically active throughout your life helps you maintain your independence as you age, as well as ensures that you can perform basic daily functions. Getting into a good routine with exercise that you enjoy will help you remain consistent throughout your entire life!
Activity is also a great way to relieve stress. Exercise can be a great healthy outlet for stress, and many enjoy the “me time” that a good routine provides. May is also Mental Health Awareness month, look out for our weekly blog post on improving mental health with food!
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