The importance of staying active for our overall health and wellness

We’ve heard over the years again and again, the importance of staying active for our overall health and wellness.

In today's modern age where we continue to witness huge advancement of technology, we also see the dramatic increase of sedentary lifestyle, health risks and disease.

We are now, more than ever, able to live our entire lives from the comfort of our own sofa’s while barely even lifting a finger, except to open an app.  We can order food, catchup with friends, work, learn new skills, meet new people, see the doctor, order clothes or any number of other items to arrive at our door within a matter of minutes.

Our physical health

That’s why , it’s now even more important to remind ourselves of the benefits of really looking after our physical health by moving our bodies regularly:

• Improves physical health: Regular physical activity helps improve overall cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and improves flexibility and balance. This can lead to a reduced risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and falls.
• Enhances mental health: Exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, improving mood, and increasing feelings of well-being.
• Helps control weight: Regular physical activity combined with a balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of obesity and related health problems.
• Boosts energy: Staying active can boost energy levels and help fight fatigue. Physical activity has been shown to increase endurance and reduce feelings of tiredness.
• Increases longevity: A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to a higher risk of premature death, while regular physical activity has been shown to increase lifespan, meaning you can spend more time doing what you love with the people you love.
• Improves sleep: Regular physical activity can improve both the quality and duration of sleep, helping to combat insomnia and other sleep related disorders.

Staying active is important for our physical AND mental health both in the short and long term, so how do we start to make it apriority?

5 simple tips

Try to start these 5 simple tips over the next month, and see how much better you can start to feel with even the smallest step:

• ‍Get outside by taking a 20-30 minute walk at lunchtime. When we spend so much time at our desks, it’s important to step away sometimes. It will help increase your daily activity and allow you to refocus for the afternoon ahead.
• Drink 2-3 litres of water a day. Fill a jug or water bottle to keep on your desk and make sure you are always hydrated. Water will help improve your mood and energy levels. You will also get more steps in, as you will need more regular bathroom breaks!‍
• Move your body in away you enjoy! You don’t have to go to the local gym, attend a spin class, or swim if you don’t enjoy those modes of exercise and movement. The BEST way to continue to stay active, is to engage in activity that you enjoy. Whether that’s dancing, boxing, rock climbing or cycling, do what brings you joy and it will be easier to stay consistent over time.‍
• Eat a well-balanced diet full of fruit, vegetables and nutrient rich protein, fat and carb sources. We need a well-rounded nutrition approach to help our bodies function at their best with the energy to enjoy life. Make sure you are also incorporating 20% “soul food” in your weekly intake to allow you to enjoy social occasions and the foods your love without any guilt or shame. Longevity and sustainable health comes from balance. ‍
• Make sure you have a good sleep routine. Just like small children, we still need to have structure around our sleep so that we allow our brains time to download the days data as well as to clear some space for a new day to begin. Going to bed at least 30 minutes before we need to be asleep and removing technology from our bedrooms are show to have the biggest impact on starting to create better sleep hygiene.

As we continue to see technology advance and evolve, and all the benefits that come with it, it’s equally important that we take a more proactive approach to maintain our health.

With a strong foundation in place, we can continue to build.

To positively impact your health, just start with the small stuff today!