The Importance of Exercise

Exercise is an important part of maintaining good health. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve your mental health. You may have seen the report that exercise can help even more than medications! However, it's important to make sure you are getting enough exercise without overdoing it.

So, how much exercise do you need? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week. This can be broken up into shorter increments throughout the week, such as 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. It's also important to include muscle strengthening activities at least 2 days a week.

But what counts as exercise? Any activity that gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat can be considered exercise. This can include activities like walking, running, swimming, cycling, or lifting weights. It's important to find activities that you enjoy, as this will make it easier to stick with an exercise routine.

So, how does exercise help your health? Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It can also improve your mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. Exercise can even help improve sleep quality and cognitive function.

Overall, it's important to make sure you are getting enough exercise to maintain good health. Find activities that you enjoy and make them a regular part of your routine. Remember to talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any health conditions.