Abstracted by Sheila Kun RN, BSN, MS

CDC guidelines spelled out the benefits of activity: 

Physical activity is one of the best things people can do for their health. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition presents new findings on the benefits of regular physical activity, which include:

• Improved sleep.
• Increased ability to perform everyday activities.
• Improved cognitive ability and a reduced risk of dementia.
• Improved bone and musculoskeletal health.

Emerging research also suggests that physical activity may help our immune systems protect our bodies from infection and disease.

In addition, regular physical activity can:

• Improve muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Improve bone and functional health.
• Reduce the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, various types of cancer (including breast cancer and colon cancer), and depression.
• Reduce the risk of falls as well as hip or vertebral fractures.
• Help maintain a healthy body weight.
• Improves mental and cognitive health.

Once we read about these benefits, we are ready to read the CDC guidelines next week to improve our physical activities.

Your homework from the Care Ministry this week: review the above benefits and convince a friend to be active.Love to hear from you: kunlouis@gmail.com