The health club and exercise equipment industries and the advertising and TV infomercials that support them can easily lead people to think that exercising for health requires considerable time, energy, equipment, special clothing, and money. These investments can seem so overwhelming that some people forego exercising altogether.

Fortunately, physical activity does not require special equipment or spending a lot of money. Physical activity is anything you do when you are not sitting or lying down. Besides jogging, swimming, cycling, and aerobic dancing, physical activity includes yoga, tai chi ch'uan, martial arts training, gardening, and walking.

For instance, regular walking strengthens muscles, increases aerobic capacity, clears and quiets the mind, reduces stress, expends calories, and causes few injuries, if any. Other than appropriate shoes, walking requires no special clothing, equipment, or money, and it can be worked into a bust schedule.

An ongoing study has shown that walking two miles a day reduced the risk of heart disease and cancer by half (Hakim et al., 1998). So, instead of eating at breaks at work or between classes, take a walk to release mental and physical tensions. When you drive somewhere, park far enough away that you walk the last 10 minutes to your destination. Walk up stairs instead of using the elevator.

When you have physical activity in your life, other healthy behaviors often follow, such as improved eating habits and a reduction in alcohol consumption. Also, physical activity may lessen stress so that undesirable stress-reducing behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, overeating, or drug consumption, stop.

If none of these points convinces you of the many benefits of exercise, think of it as setting aside time and attention for you. Many people feel overwhelmed by the demands of school, job, and family. Just taking a few minutes several days a week to exercise can give you the chance to relax, reflect, and indulge your imagination.

Source From: Health and Wellness, (Jones & Bartlett, 2002)

© 2005 by Afromerica