Target at Least 15 Minutes of Exercise Daily for a Healthy Life

Did you know? Fifteen minutes of physical activity a day is known to lower the risk of death by 22%.  The benefits of exercise are known to one and all and time, and again, it's importance has been emphasised. Based on research presented at the EuroPRevent, just 15 minutes of exercise daily can reduce health risks and pave the way for a healthy life. Moreover, it is a reasonable target for older people, says doctor David Hupin, who is a physician at the Department of Clinical and Exercise Physiology, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, France. We often tell ourselves that we need to stop exercising because we are a certain age or are getting old. However, what we do not realise is that exercise is the very basis of our existence. Regular physical activity is much more useful for excellent health than any other medical treatment. However, while the statistics and figures are known to all, less than half of older adults achieve the recommended minimum. The research that was carried out on two different groups concluded that older adults with minimal physical activity have a lower risk of death. The higher the activity level in an individual, the higher the chances of leading a longer and healthier life. Hospital Says: Incorporating minimal levels of physical activity in one's daily life is a beneficial target and reasonably achievable too. Start with 15 minutes of brisk walk and gradually increase the figure.

Start Exercising Today

Exercising is excellent for the human body, and incorporating it into one's daily routine is a great way to refresh oneself. However, being a nation full of workaholics, we dedicate minimal or no time for exercise. Exercise does not necessarily have to be done in an expensive gym or at other classes; it can be done anywhere. One may go for brisk walks to the park, jog or simply do yoga at home. It is a simple regimen that one has to follow. So where does the problem lie? The problem lies in the fact that everyone is so busy in their daily lives, that finding time for exercising isn't even taken into consideration. Pro Tip: If one is exercising, it is best to do so in the morning as the morning air is the least polluted and leaves one feeling fitter and better throughout the day.

Walking Changes the Body- Benefits of Exercise

One of the best forms of exercises is walking; in fact, it is as good as jogging. Regular walks are great for a number of bodily functions and add to good health. Here are some of the ways in which walking changes the body, strengthening it.

1. Walking is excellent for cardiovascular health as it strengthens the lungs and heart, which, in turn, increases overall fitness.
2. Regular and consistent walks would gradually help a person with weight loss and toning muscles. However, it is more effective for weight loss if combined with a diet.
3. It improves muscle endurance and muscle strength in the lower body.
4. Walks are good for the bones, improving the body's cardiovascular strength and also boosts circulation.
5. The risks of injury associated with walking are not the same as those for jogging. It is a low impact exercise that offers all the benefits of other exercises as well.
6. The lower legs may contain excess fluid and walking help one to get rid of the same.
7. Walking prevents varicose veins through pumping action of the calf muscles.
8. Walking also increases the supply of oxygen in our body, which, in turn, helps one to get rid of the waste products in the tissues.
9. More people can walk at a consistent pace than jog, and so they say- consistency is the key. It is beneficial for tissue clearing purposes as well because, for people over 50, jogging can lead to knee problems.
10. Walking is much better for the spine than running as it doesn't stress the discs as much. The spinal discs receive minerals and vitamins through the pumping action during walking. Humans are capable of working in an environment that has constantly been moving and in today's world, we do the exact opposite.

Below are some more benefits:

1. One can expect quicker results through walking than any other form of exercise. However, this may depend on a number of factors like age, individual level of fitness, and walking speed.
2. Walking is an excellent remedy for people who have insomnia. Even 15 minutes of a walk can improve the quality of sleep. However, 30 minutes is the recommended exercise time.
3. Leading an inactive life poses a threat of symptoms of the stiffness of joints that can lead to arthritis. However, moderate and vigorous physical activity like walking for five days a week can help relieve the pain.
4. One of the significant causes of concern in today's world is a stroke or heart attack. Based on popular research by the University of South Carolina, walking briskly for 30 minutes 5 times a week lowers the risk of strokes.

Besides the above mentioned, regular walks can also help in a number of other aspects ensuring the overall development of the body. Plus, taking out just 15 minutes from one's daily schedule is reasonably easy and assures genuine results.