Moving our bodies as little as a 30-minute walk a day can release our endorphins and there’s no better way to start our day than with a clear, positive mind.
The World Health Organization guidelines recommend that adults engage in ≥150 minutes/ week of moderate-intensity physical activity or ≥75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity physical activity (e.g. running).
Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. Everyday activities include climbing stairs, grocery shopping, or playing with your children/grandchildren.
Being unable to do everyday activities is called a functional limitation. Physically active middle-aged or older adults have a lower risk of functional limitations than people who are inactive. Engaging in physical activity can help you sustain your freedom and keep doing the things you love!
Moving your body produces changes in the parts of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety so we can work with a clear mind. It can also increase brain sensitivity to the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which relieve feelings of depression and keep us happier for longer.
Those 30 minutes of exercise may feel like a big commitment, but your mind, soul and body will thank you.
