Last Updated on June 26, 2023 by Create Better Health
You don’t have to run a marathon or be an Olympic weightlifter to experience the benefits of physical activity. Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts towards physical activity and can benefit you, today! Here are some of the short-term health benefits.
Short-Term Benefits of Physical Activity
- Decreases stress, anxiety, and fatigue
- Sharpen your focus
- Better sleep quality
- Reduces blood pressure
- Lowers blood sugar
- Increase energy
- Improves confidence
- Allows you to have fun with your family and friends
Not only are there short-term health benefits there are life-long benefits too.
Long-Term Benefits of Physical Activity
- Brain health
- Heart health
- Cancer prevention
- Healthy weight maintenance
- Lowered blood pressure
- Stronger bones and muscles
- Balance and coordination
- Lowered risk of diabetes complications such as eye, heart, and kidney disease
- Improved quality of life
150 minutes of physical activity a week is what is recommended, that’s only 22 minutes per day! Things that you do every day like mopping, sweeping, weeding, and walking the dog, can all count. Even things that don’t feel like physical activity may be physical activity like gardening, playing catch with a friend or family member, dancing, or pushing a shopping cart or child in a stroller.
Consistency is key
The recommendation is 150 minutes per week but try to space it out during the week rather than hitting one day really hard. Consistency every day will help you develop healthy habits and provide the most benefits.
Pick a benefit or two from the short term and long term benefits list above that motivates you! Write it down and hang it up somewhere you can see it and get started today!