Exercise gives you energy. That may seem counterintuitive, but exercise boosts energy levels. Even occasional exercise improves your mental wellbeing, thinking and sleep and reduces anxiety and blood pressure. Regular exercise has even more benefits than an occasional bout – it improves your brain and heart health, bone strength, balance, and coordination, as well as reduces your risk for cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. Most importantly, exercising helps you feel better and function better.
With so many benefits, why do so few adults get regular exercise? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than half of adults in the U.S. and less than a quarter of children 6 to 17 years old get enough exercise.
Your body was designed to move. There are hundreds of different ways our bodies can move – find something you enjoy doing. To feel your best, set a goal of at least 150 minutes (2½ hours) of exercise per week. Aim for progress, not perfection – any physical activity is better than none. Creating new healthy habits takes time, practice, and patience with yourself.
The July Resources Toolkit (ZIP) includes materials that can be shared with your groups.
