Along with a healthy diet, exercise is the cornerstone of good health. Physical activity produces a multitude of benefits for your overall health and well-being. Being active helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering cholesterol levels and making the heart pump more efficiently. It reduces the risk of dying prematurely, especially of heart disease. Physical activity helps control your weight and prevent obesity, which is a risk factor for high blood pressure and diabetes. Regular exercise also can improve your mood, reduce stress, and relieve depression, not to mention build muscular strength and tone, increase your flexibility, and enhance endurance. Just a small increase in your activity level can yield big results, especially if you lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Any type of physical activity such as washing the car, mowing the lawn, taking the stairs, even walking is good for you and will cut your risk of heart disease. Of course, the more exercise you engage in, the more benefits you gain. So once you begin to exercise moderately on a regular basis, try to boost your activity level by including more vigorous activities such as jogging or swimming in your exercise program.
Be sure to choose activities you enjoy so you will be more likely to continue exercising. Take part in a variety of activities so you won’t get bored. Walk, swim, ride a bike, climb
stairs, go dancing, or play volleyball—any activity counts as long as you keep moving. Get your family involved. Family members can improve their health and spend time together on a hike, bicycle ride, or other physical activity.
Most important, make exercising a regular part of your routine. Remember to drink plenty of water before you begin exercising, and drink more afterward to prevent dehydration.