Exercise

Exercise helps both your body and your mind to stay healthy. It is good for your overall health and well-being. Any activity that gets you up and moving is better than none.

Exercise can help:

• Reduce high blood pressure.
• Lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and some types of cancer.
• Improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

There are all kinds of ways you can fit exercise into your life. Some ideas:

• Go for a walk. Try walking a little faster than you normally would.
• Ride a bike.
• Do chores around the house, like vacuuming or mopping.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Join your local gym or YMCA, and take an aerobics class.

Start out at your own pace. Even 10 minutes of exercise at a time counts. You can work your way up to 30 minutes of exercise a day, for 5 days a week, for example. That equals 150 minutes of exercise a week, which is the recommended amount.

See how exercise can help you feel better and stay healthy.

Check out a fact sheet for parents to help your children get enough exercise, too.