As springtime flies by and summertime approaches the importance of either entering into or maintaining/increasing our activity levels through regular movement-oriented activities is a very important goal towards achieving an improved quality of life through a healthier lifestyle.
There are many directions one can take towards achieving better health.
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month are celebrated in May. It is an initiative by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Since 1983, each President has proclaimed May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to promote the importance of physical activity, physical fitness and sports participation.
The focus of today’s column is to present a broad overview of the importance of being physically active and provide some recommended tips which are not inclusive of the myriad of activities one can undertake to be more physically active. In addition there are physical activity guidelines that have been developed to help guide us on this journey.
There are many ways to be physically active. All kinds of active pastimes can help improve our physical and mental well-being, making physical activity one of the best ways to stay or get healthy.
Some benefits can be achieved immediately – like improved blood pressure and reduced anxiety – while other benefits are the result of making physical activity a regular part of your routine.
Everyday physical activity tips:
Walk whenever possible
Move more in your home
Live actively
The physical activity guidelines:
Please consider the many-varied health benefits of physical activity and take the challenge of undertaking this lifestyle change. Be sure to check with a qualified health professional if you have specific concerns relevant to physical activity and exercise prior to making a change.
Additional information/resources
Check out the top 10 things to know from the second edition of The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans published by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, United States Department of Health & Human at odphp.health.gov
The full report of The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans can be downloaded at odphp.health.gov
Intervention approaches reviewed by the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) for increasing physical activity with summaries of the CPSTF finding for each can be reviewed a: odphp.health.gov
Summary CPSTF Findings Table for Physical Activity | The Community Guide at thecommunityguide.org
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D., R.D.N. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 40 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in International/Intercultural Development Education at Florida State University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Get up and move to celebrate National Physical Fitness Month
Reporting by Mark A. Mahoney, Guest columnist / Tallahassee Democrat
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