By: Pre’Yelle Grinkley, Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Well-being Leader 

Fitness is an important part of overall well-being. Integrating regular physical activity and exercise into your daily routine may have a wide range of positive effects on your health and well-being, as well as help you live a better life. Whether it’s going for a daily walk, taking a fitness class, or engaging in a team sport, finding ways to be physically active every day can have a positive impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health. When we talk about wellness, we refer to the state of being in good health, both physically and mentally. Fitness, on the other hand, refers to the ability to perform physical activity or exercise. Regular exercise and physical activity have been shown to have numerous health benefits, including:  

1. Improved cardiovascular health: Exercise helps to strengthen the heart and improve blood flow throughout the body.  

2. Better respiratory function: Regular physical activity can increase lung capacity and improve respiratory function.  

3. Increased strength and endurance: Exercise can improve muscle strength and endurance, making it easier to perform daily activities.  

4. Improved mental health: Exercise has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost cognitive function.  

5. Better sleep: Regular physical activity can help to improve the quality and duration of sleep.  

Incorporating fitness into your daily routine can help you to maintain and improve your overall wellness. By staying physically active, you can reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, and improve your overall quality of life.  

Beginners should start with low-impact, non-strengthening activities before progressing to more rigorous workouts. Walking and yoga are two low-impact activities that may be done anywhere. Both burn calories, decrease stress, and enhance cardiovascular health. Additional forms of exercise include cycling, swimming, and bodyweight workouts such as push-ups, squats, and lunges. If you don’t think you can do it alone, you can always join forces with a supportive buddy or consult with a skilled personal trainer or exercise specialist who can help build a program that is safe and effective for your specific goals and fitness level. The idea is to pick an activity that you love and that fits into your schedule so that it becomes a habit that you can stick with. If you are new to exercising or have any health problems, it is important to begin carefully and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your physical activity for a better experience at life. Whether you are on campus or not, you can take advantage of the activities and services offered at the Campus Recreation Center for physical health.  

Sources:  

Benefits of Physical Activity | Physical Activity | CDC  

Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity – Mayo Clinic