Be Sure To Find Time For Physical Activities Every Day

Besides Academics, Jobs, Etc., Be Good To Yourself: Find Time For Physical Activity!

Juggling time between academics, jobs, and extra-curricular participation and trying to find time to exercise or fit in some form of low, moderate or intense daily physical activity can be difficult yet should also be an important part of everyone’s schedule. Engaging in some kind of physical activity - be it aerobic exercise classes, weight training, brisk walking, jogging, and even low-intensity (moderate) forms of physical activity each day (i.e. climbing stairs, parking the car farther away and walking farther to your destination) - go a long way in promoting health. If you are sedentary and want to get into shape, fitness experts generally recommend first getting your physician’s OK, then starting off with the easiest form of exercise, a walking program. It doesn’t have to be a long walk. Gradually increase your walking distance each day. Maybe a 10 minute walk around the campus, then 15 the next day, etc., until you can comfortably do 20 to 30 minute walks each day (it can be broken up into 15 minutes early in the day, and 15 minutes at the end of the day - you can get the same health benefits as a straight 30 minute walk! Also, go to the library or the local book store for books on exercise programs including walking and weight training for example to get further information to help you along your road to fitness. The November and December issue of AARP magazine cites Sandra Selikson, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Montefiore Medical Center in New York City: “You don’t have to do a marathon; you just need to try to incorporate good daily activity into your life.” In addition, follow these general fitness guidelines:

Weight training is terrific for building muscle and bone density, but also include some type of aerobic training to build not only a strong heart, but also a powerful brain. Studies show how aerobic exercise promotes not only healthier hearts, but improves brainpower, too.