Let’s Move More: Why Movement Matters

The human body is designed to move. From hunting and gathering, to harvesting crops and preparing meals, the human body has always needed to move in order to survive.

However, the invention of modern technology such as automobiles, computers and smartphones, has required less physical movement, so we can actually “do” more.

For many people, this “doing” more has resulted into more computer work, television time, and more time sitting commuting to and from work.

“We’ve made sitting into an art form,” says James Levine, M.D., Ph.D., director of Obesity Solutions at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and Arizona State University.

The Risk In Being Sedentary

Dr. Levine goes on to explain that “Excess sitting is now linked with 35 diseases and conditions, including obesity, hypertension, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease and depression.”

This is why it is essential to make movement a part of day to day living.

Here are just a few of the benefits your body will reap from regular movement:

• Increased muscle strength and endurance
• Maintenance of a healthy body weight
• Improved digestion
• Increased bone density
• Healthy cardiovascular system (healthy heart)
• Stress reduction
• Pain management
• Mood enhancer

How much movement?

The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e. brisk walking) every week and 2 or more days a week of muscle-strengthening activities.

OR

75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (jogging or running) every week and 2 or more days of muscle strengthening activities.

Walking 10,000 steps per day will add up to about five miles each day, which would satisfy the CDC’s recommendations.

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