| Why Physical Activity is Important for You! |
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| Written by Kingsley Pursch | |
| Friday, 05 January 2007 | |
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Regular physical activity is very important for you. Why? It improves your ability to learn because you are more alert, you are able to concentrate for a longer period of time and it enhances the function of your memory.It promotes psychological well-being by reducing the feelings of depression, anxiety and stress. It improves your ability to sleep soundly. It enhances your self-esteem and confidence. It improves your social skills and networks, and thus, reduces loneliness and isolation. It makes you feel more energetic and you recover more quickly after work or exercise. It reduces your risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. It helps you to manage your body weight. It helps you to build and maintain a healthy heart, lung and circulatory system. It helps you to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, which in turn, reduce your risk of injury. It helps you to develop motor skills and coordination. In general, it improves your quality of life! What is regular physical activity? The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians are listed below. The third guideline refers to the minimum level of physical activity required for good health, and the fourth guideline refers to gaining and maintaining extra health benefits.
How can you motivate yourself? Try to incorporate movement and activity into your normal daily routineChoose an activity you really enjoy doing if you have to incorporate a special time for exercise. Be active with a friend or family member. Look for exercise options convenient and close to your home or work. Set yourself short-term, realistic, achievable goals and reward yourself sensibly when you have achieved them (e.g. over the next 3 weeks I aim to walk 3 times per week for 20 minutes). Keep a weekly activity diary, so you can plan your week and keep track of your progressions and monitor if you are meeting your goals. Remember you will have setbacks that interrupt your activities. The key is to treat setbacks as temporary and to get going again as soon as you can.
How can you find the time? Try to do 30 minutes of physical activity in one session, but if you cannot find the time, don't despair. Your daily amount of moderate physical activity can accumulate to 30 minutes. For example, you can take three 10 minute activity 'snacks' such as a 10 minute walk to uni, a 10 minute walk at lunch time and a 10 minute walk back home, but remember you must be active at the right intensity, which is puffing slightly. Do you need a health check up? If you are on medication, have had a major operation, have a medical condition or physical limitation that restricts you or is likely to be affected by physical activity, or have any other concerns regarding your capacity to partake in moderate or vigorous physical activity, including recent inactivity, it is recommended that you consult your health professional to clarify your activity options. How can you find out more? If you would like further information, visit the “Go for Your Life” website – goforyourlife.vic.gov.au or |
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