Exercise is essential for maintaining your health. It can also improve your overall sense of well-being. Even low-to-moderate intensity activities, for as little as 30 minutes a day, can be beneficial. These activities may include:
Pleasure walking
Climbing stairs
Gardening
Yard work
Moderate-to-heavy housework
Dancing
Home exercise
However, more vigorous aerobic activities are best for improving the fitness of your heart and lungs. These are done 3 or 4 times a week for 30 to 60 minutes. Regular, aerobic activity increases your capacity for exercise. It helps prevent heart diseases and even certain cancers. Aerobic exercise may also help to lower blood pressure.
These activities may include:
Brisk walking
Running
Swimming
Playing tennis
Cycling
Roller skating
Jumping rope
According to the American Heart Association, the following are key benefits of physical activity:
Improves blood circulation throughout your body
Keeps your weight under control
Improves your blood cholesterol levels
Prevents and manages high blood pressure
Prevents bone loss
Boosts your energy level
Releases tension
Improves your ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well
Improves your self-image
Helps manage stress
Counters anxiety and depression
Improves thinking ability
Increases your enthusiasm and optimism
Increases your muscle strength
Increases endurance
A daily exercise program can provide a way for you to share an activity with your family and friends. At the same time, it helps you establish good heart-healthy habits. Daily exercise can help your child prevent conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor lifestyle habits that lead to heart attack and stroke later in life. If you are an older adult, daily physical activity can help delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases linked to aging. This will help you maintain your quality of life and independence longer.