1. It helps you physically

Being active can help you to prevent health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

2. It helps your mood

Having an active lifestyle can benefit your mental and emotional health, decrease anxiety and depression, and help with stress. It can also help you to focus and have more restful sleep.

3. It can have social benefits

Being active can help you socialize with others. Team sports, classes such as yoga or kickboxing, and activities like a running group can help connect you with people who have common interests.

4. It can help your self-image

Being active can help you to feel like a part of something, learn new skills, challenge yourself and strengthen you body- giving your self-esteem a boost!

5. It increases energy

Exercising increases blood flow and oxygen to your muscles, it also increases your metabolism- leaving you with more energy while you are active and all throughout the day.

Activity and stress

 Physical activity can be helpful for managing stress. Remember that being physically active increases blood flow and oxygen to your body, which includes your brain. This increase in oxygen allows you to feel alert and better able to manage stress. Exercise also releases “feel good hormones” known as endorphins, in your brain leading to improved mood. Physical activity can reduce stress by lowering anxiety, reducing the risk for depression, and boosting your memory.

There are tons of different activities that you can choose from, let’s start with the four different types of exercise that you can use to be healthy and active:

Aerobic

This type of physical activity increases your heart rate and your breathing. It can give your heart and lungs a workout and it helps to improve your endurance (physical ability).

Activities to try:

Walking, running, hiking, swimming, biking, dancing, jumping rope or interval training

Anaerobic

(Strength Training) This type of physical activity will build up your muscle mass, leaving you better able use your muscles in life. It can also help to improve your posture and balance.

Activities to try

Body weight exercises (push-ups, lunges, squats, pull-ups), weight machines at the gym or with an exercise band.

Stretching

This type of activity will help you build up your flexibility. It’s important to get the most from stretches you do, but don’t push yourself to the point where the exercise is painful.

Activities to try

Yoga poses or stretching exercises

Balance

These exercises help you to feel steadier on your feet and improve coordination

Activities to try

Tai-chi or simple exercises such as standing on one foot or walking across a room by putting one foot directly in front of the other.