Tuesday Truths – Leisure-time Activity an Important Aspect of Overall Health!
July 12, 2022
For the past 20 years, trends show more women are spending less time participating in leisure-time physical activity. Reports show approximately 25% of US adults report NO leisure time activity.
What do I mean about leisure activity? Activities over and beyond your physical workouts. It’s about what you do in your FREE time for rest and leisure for enjoyment and recreation!
The list is endless; walking/hiking, biking, golfing, horseback riding, gardening, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, camping, dancing, and kite flying………..Well, you get the point!
Leisure activities can also include games, cultural events, community service, and community events and festivals.
A sedentary lifestyle can set you up for higher risks of developing chronic health problems and unnecessary weight.
Of course, there are many reasons we disrupt leisure-time physical activity. Primarily the result of physical injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and even depression. However, primary physicians will highly recommend movement for most conditions.
Avoiding movement of fear of pain can only increase the risk of developing other health issues and unnecessary weight gain. It always goes back to the equation of “Calories In” and the expenditure of “Calories Out.”
The future is here. Many scientific studies are specific to women’s health and fitness, including physiological and psychological variables. The female body is incredibly dynamic and adaptable and how and when to adjust is crucial throughout the different phases of our life. “AGE-GILITY!”
I now train as a ” Woman’s Fitness Specialist” through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). NASM has developed a concept of integrated progression training, including flexibility, core, balance, reactive plyometrics, strength, and cardiorespiratory. It is called “Optimum Performance Training” (OPT), designed to progress clients at every stage of life and to achieve personal goals.
Bottom line, there are many ways to improve the needs of women during any part of our lifespan. For example, an OPT program can improve our Skeletal (bone density), Neuromuscular (muscle mass), Cardiorespiratory (heart/lungs), and Endocrine Systems (Hormones associated with peri & menopause), and the Metabolism that decreases with aging.
So, enjoy your weekends and leisure time activity! It has been proven to lower the physical symptoms of stress such as high blood pressure and heart rate almost immediately and can reduce emotional stress too! It is MIND over MATTER, small changes from a stuck position for positive progression!
Leisure activity is an excellent way to connect with family and friends and meet new friends with similar interests. Breathe the fresh air, get some needed Vitamin D, and MOVEMENT. Leisure activity is essential to overall health; continue to enjoy and Live Your Best Life, and YOU deserve it!
“Guard your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds, and their value will never be known. Improve them, and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is NEVER too late to change habits into HEALTHY HABITS to live with AGE-GILITY!
Until next week…..Your Power is in Your Truth…..Trust Your Truth!