Physical activity: Benefits and simple steps

If you're not getting some physical activity most days, now's the time to start. Here’s some information to help you get started with a plan that works for you.

Benefits of physical activity

Physical activity can improve or prevent other health conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol or triglycerides
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Heart disease

When you exercise, your body releases chemicals that can help boost your mood and help you feel more relaxed.

Exercise can help you build muscle and increase your endurance and can help your heart and lungs work better so you have more energy to do the things you want to do.

Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Simple steps you can take to increase physical activity include:

• Start with 10 minutes at a time and work your way up. You don't have to do it all at once.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Park further back in the parking lot.
• Buy a pedometer or activity monitor. Set daily goals and increase your target as you become more active.

Using more calories than you take in will encourage weight loss and weight maintenance. Take this information and put it to use so that you can improve your health and well-being.

Heidi Bednarchuk is a clinical nurse specialist in Bariatric Surgery in Fairmont and Mankato, Minnesota.