Studies confirm that regular exercise can prevent diseases that reduce life expectancies.
The life expectancy of Americans continues to rise. A baby born today has a life expectancy of 104 years or longer, according to the National Geographic Society.
Adults should rethink their life expectancy plans, how to spend those years and how to take care of themselves. My goal is to enjoy a high quality of life every year, no matter how long I live. This is also how I guide my clients who are looking to live better and longer lives.
Exercise helps us all live longer, as it helps fend off health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Americans who are active seven hours a week have a 40% lower risk of dying prematurely than those who fit in less than 30 minutes a week, according to the Watson Clinic in Lakeland.
Better brain health
Regular exercise may delay brain aging by 10 years, according to the American Academy of Neurology.
Try mind-body exercise such as yoga and tai chi for improved brain health. Games and activities requiring mental agility are especially good, too.
A recent landmark study of Alzheimer’s Disease, led by the University of British Columbia (UBC), confirmed exercise is good for the brain.
“Our panel agrees that physical activity is a practical, economical and accessible intervention for both the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia,” study author Kathleen Martin Ginis, a UBC professor, said.
Better arthritis control
As counterproductive as it may seem, moderate intensity, low-impact aerobic exercise is key to managing arthritis.
Regular exercise lessens the pain of achy joints and body areas. Weight lifting added to a regular aerobic schedule adds strength, which decreases the risk of sustaining an injury in a fall. A mind-body activity adds another dimension to your arthritis management plan. Take charge of your life. Get active and feel better.
Lose weight, feel better
Dieting by the reduction of food intake alone can result in weight loss. But without a change in lifestyle, the weight usually returns. When the weight returns, it is usually around the abdomen, hips, thighs, and other unwanted places.
A lifestyle decision to start and maintain a regular exercise plan speeds up the weight loss with dieting. Keeping up with an exercise plan is the best way to stop the cycle of losing and gaining weight. According to the National Weight Control Registry, 90% of all people who have lost 30 pounds and kept it off for a year are regular exercisers.
Better balance and stronger bones
Falls are the primary cause of adults’ traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Stronger muscles improve balance and decrease falling risks.
Weight training helps everyone get and stay stronger. More importantly for longevity, regular exercise keeps telomeres, a biogenetic marker of DNA health, healthier.
Jennifer E. Closshey, Ph.D., is a doctor of integrative health and YMCA yoga instructor in Plant City. Contact her at JenniferClosshey@gmail.com.
