In a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that even a moderate amount of physical activity can add years to your life. If you start early, you would be surprised at how many more years you can add to your lifespan.
Move a Little, Live Longer
According to the study from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, if you start being physically active for at least 150 minutes a week ( about 20 minutes a day) starting at age 20, you can add between two and five years.
A small amount of physical activity can also have other substantial health effects. Exercising just 20 minutes daily can lower your risk for heart disease by 14 percent. Additionally, exercise can reduce your chances for becoming obese, lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and even reduce your chances of developing cancer.
Even a little bit of physical activity is not difficult to integrate into your life. You start with easy things like parking farther out in the parking lot at the grocery store or at work so you will walk a little more each day. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator in the mall. Go outside and play with your kids instead of sitting on the sofa. Ride your bike or walk to work instead of driving your car.
What are your favorite physical activities? Are there ways you can increase the amount of time you are physically active?
– The Alternative Daily
