Exercise is often referred to as a “miracle drug,” and some physicians have been known to write “exercise prescriptions” for their patients. The physical and mental health benefits of moving more are astounding. These range from having more energy, a better outlook on life, and getting better sleep to preventing and managing many types of chronic disease, like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, stroke, osteoporosis, and up to eight types of cancer. Exercise is good for physical and mental health.

Often, inactivity is more to blame than age when older people lose the ability to do things on their own. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, more uses of medicines for a variety of illnesses, and more of your hard-earned dollars spent on health care. The old saying, “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” is so true when it comes to moving our bodies.

You are probably aware of these benefits, and the consequences for not being active, and yet this knowledge alone may not be enough to get you moving. Why is that? 

If you approach physical activity only as a tool for improving health and losing weight, as we are socialized to do, it feels like another chore to add to your already overloaded to-do list. If you are relatively young and healthy, the threat of developing a chronic illness may be too far off to be relevant right now. 

So, what is relevant at this moment? What benefits can you enjoy immediately? Are you feeling stressed and need a better way to manage? Could you benefit from time to think and clear your head? Do you feel sluggish and want more energy? Could you benefit from better sleep? How about your mood – would you like to be more positive around your family, friends and co-workers? 

When you view physical activity as a means of enhancing your daily well-being, it becomes part of your life that has purpose and meaning. It becomes something you want to do, rather than a chore. It becomes a gift and something to look forward to. Not something you have to do, but rather something you get to do. Take note of how you feel after exercising. Do you feel more energized, strong, happy? Remember those feelings when it comes time to exercise and sometimes that can be the motivation to exercise again!

You also know yourself the best so finding something you enjoy doing is key. There is no one best activity for everyone, rather it is finding something you enjoy doing. Some people need to be around others to motivate them. Other people want to exercise on their own. Life will inevitably get in the way so just like everything else, perseverance can be important.  

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. One may reach her at 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu