Move More Month

April of every year is Move More Month, and there couldn’t be a better month of any year to begin encouraging people to start incorporating more movement into their daily lives. Warmer weather naturally entices people to go outside, go for a walk, and experience fresh air. With the current coronavirus situation, it’s more important than ever to get moving to help clear our heads and effectively deal with the stresses that the pandemic has caused. The purpose of setting aside a month to get people moving is to encourage everyone to become more active. Since only about 22 percent of U.S. adults get the recommended daily amount of activity, this is an initiative that can have tremendous health benefits. What counts as moving? Moving more doesn’t have to mean doing a full, hour-long training session. It’s far more realistic than that, and you might be surprised to find what counts as healthy movement: Park at the edge of the parking lot. You might take a surprising number of extra steps if you park at the edge of the parking lot when you go to work or the grocery store. Not working right now? You’re not alone. Take a quick walk – while making sure to properly socially distance – through your neighborhood or down your street. Walk around during breaks. If you’re still working outside your home, consider taking short walks during your breaks or lunch period. If you do this a few times each day, you might find it’s easy to get closer to the recommended amount of activity for adults. Take the stairs. It seems like most of us don’t think much about hopping on elevators or escalators, but when you take the stairs, you can boost your heart rate and increase your overall activity levels. These are just a few suggestions to help you get moving. There are so many ways to add more activity to your life – even if you’re stuck inside your home or sticking to your yard. A half hour of movement a day on five or more days a week is all it takes to help you reach the recommended amount of activity. What are some benefits of physical activity? If you’re thinking that you don’t really need to get active, you should know that everyone – no matter their age – can benefit from activity. Exercising regularly

Encourages the body to release endorphins, a hormone that helps us feel good.
Reduces the stress hormone cortisol and stress in general.
Improves sleep.
Lowers the risk for heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
Assist people in recovery from addiction by strengthening their bodies and calming their minds.
Strengthens the immune system.

It can feel like a challenge to get more activity, and that’s why Move More Month was born. Many of us have been trying to stay home and flatten the curve of new COVID-19 infections. So it may be a perfect time to become more active. Engaging in physical activity can be a good way to spend time, boost our wellness, and eliminate stress. Why not take this time to care for yourself and start moving more for better health? Sources awarenessdays.com – Move More Month 2020 fortune.com – A Shocking Percentage of Americans Don’t Exercise Enough, CDC Says heart.org – American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids betterhealth.vic.gov.au – Physical Activity – It’s Important sunshinebehavioralhealth.com – Exercise in Rehab: Is It Effective and Why?

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Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.