If one day you wake up and someone tells you that there is a pill or a syrup that is beneficial for your cardiovascular health, helps control weight, maintains a good mental health and proper neuronal function, takes care of the immune system, prevents injuries, improves bone calcification, helps prevent respiratory diseases and makes you happier and more sociable, would you take it?
It's hard to think that anyone could say no! But behind the previous fact, there is one bad and one good news. The bad news: this pill or syrup does not exist. The good news: there is something that is the trigger for everything we have described above; physical activity.
We have a body designed to move
The practice of healthy habits, among which physical activity stands out, prevents many diseases and pain in modern society. Our body is designed to move to survive by hunting, gathering, fishing, and farming, which means to be in continuous movement. Instead, society has evolved differently, going from being nomadic and very active to sedentary. We no longer have to escape from predators. Our work habits are being seated, or in static positions, we move around with motorized vehicles, we spend hours on the sofa, we go shopping by car...
The mentioned bad habits generate a series of physical and mental health problems. Luckily, we have the solution even if, in most cases, can be a drag.
Physical activity improves many aspects of life: it also helps us feel better about ourselves, maintains our weight, and takes care of our image, consequently improving our self-esteem. It also helps us feel more energetic, happier, relate better to the people around us; to perform better at work, as it is proven that sport improves the ability to concentrate.
We must bear in mind that studies show that the factors that determine health are: 11% the health system, 19% the environment, 27% human biology, and 43% lifestyle. If we look closely, the highest percentage – the lifestyle – is the one that we can decide and control ourselves, which is great news.
Shall we start?
One of the most complicated steps is getting started. The first step is to be aware and keep in mind that if we dedicate some time a week to physical activity, this will be time invested in ourselves, our present, and our future. There is a saying that if we invest in physical activity, we will save on doctors and waiting rooms.
To begin with, it is essential to set attainable and short-term goals. We do not need to try to go from 0 to 100 in a few weeks because we will surely be much more prone to abandonment and frustration. It is much better to start small. One day a week, perhaps going for a walk, perhaps with little time. And, as we adapt, increase the frequency, intensity, and time.
The summer season is ideal to start these habits. Days are longer, we feel like doing things outside, and we have more time for ourselves. You can stay with a friend to go for a walk instead of sitting down to have a coffee, play a game of paddle tennis, sign up for a class directed at the gym, or swim a few meters in the pool.
Soon we will explain some tricks to use once we have taken this first step. The goal is to remain motivated and not abandon this practice that is so healthy and necessary for physical and emotional health, to perform better at work, to be better colleagues, and to have a better family life.
