The benefits of REGULAR exercise
“It’s not the years in your life
that count, but the life in your years.” Jodi Picoult.
A Swedish study using 36 000 middle-aged men and women over 30 days, found that regular, moderate exercise is more helpful than
sporadic rigorous cardiorespiratory exercise, and is also linked with better
mental health.
The study found that when people do not exercise, or only exercise ‘when
they’re in the mood’, they are more likely to experience depression and anxiety
compared with people who exercise regularly. Since the start of Covid, feelings
of stress, worry, fear and anxiety have been on the increase globally, and
depression rates in South Africa have doubled over the last three years. Ignoring
or simply enduring stress is not good for one’s mental health. It can also
increase the risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
Moderate exercise for 30 – 40 minutes every day has also been found to
improve sleep. A healthy sleeping pattern can help to improve one’s health.
Try walking – ideally barefoot to benefit from ‘earthing’.
What you eat is the fuel of your body. Not only does your diet affect
your energy levels, it also strengthens your immune system, plays an important
role in the way your brain works, feeds your memory and improves your mood. Eat
the good stuff – green, red and yellow fruit and vegetables. Raw when
possible. Make sure that your meals are
nutritious and not simply ‘nice to eat’.
Finally, stress can be minimized by connecting with family and friends –
the Covid way – by taking regular breaks and doing things differently.
