Stop apologizing, WHO explains why staying fit is a must, with or without a pandemic

Regular exercise can help you stay fit and disease-free

Time and again, we have emphasized the importance of exercising regularly and being physically active for your overall health and well-being. Regular physical activity is the gateway to being fit and disease free. Now, the World Health Organization has said that experiencing sedentary behavior can have serious repercussions and exercise is important for both physical and mental health. “WHO urges everyone to continue to remain active during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Ruediger Krech, WHO’s head of health promotion. “If we don’t stay active, we run the risk of creating another pandemic of ill health due to sedentary behavior,” he added, AFP reported.

Movement restrictions, freezes and closures of gyms have forced people to stay at home. She has stopped their normal activities and exercise routines, which can increase the risk of weight gain and many other health problems.

Regular exercise is important for your physical and mental health
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Weight Loss: The Many Ways Being Physically Active Can Help

• Being physically active can add years to life and life to years, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
• It is the key to preventing and managing type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
• Exercise can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can reduce cognitive decline, increase overall brain health, and improve memory.

To get these benefits from exercise, adults need to do two and a half hours of moderate to strenuous aerobic activity per week. Children and teens should move for at least an hour each day, the WHO recommended.

Moving or exercising for longer than this will certainly be more beneficial. To increase your physical activity, you can jog, walk, ride a bike or run. You can choose the activity you prefer. This type of activity falls into the category of cardio exercises, which can help you lose weight. They are also helpful in reducing stress and anxiety.

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In addition to this, there are different types of workouts that you can do from the comfort of your home, without going to the gym. These workouts require no equipment and can be completed in half an hour or less. You can also include weight training exercises in your routine such as push-ups, pull-ups, plank and much more.

You can take the time to exercise by waking up half an hour early in the morning or doing a short 15-minute workout during lunchtime. Here is one such workout you can do by taking a 10-minute break during lunchtime at work or work from home.

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All in all, it’s important to understand that not exercising will hurt you more than you can imagine, especially when we’re going through a pandemic.

Disclaimer: This content, including recommendations, provides general information only. It does not in any way replace qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV assumes no responsibility for this information.