Exercise could be just the tonic...
FITNESS EXPERT RUTH LYNCH EXPLAINS WHY GETTING MOVING BOOSTS OUR HEALTH IN SO MANY WAYS
WE OFTEN talk about the long-term preventative health benefits of exercise. Ensuring you and your family are moving enough throughout the week can reduce the chances of developing heart disease, Type II diabetes, strokes and some cancers, and will also help your kids stay healthy as they grow into adults. But exercise also has wonderful ‘healing’ properties, and can work wonders when it comes to fighting off both physical and mental ailments which are affecting you today, not just in later years. I’m not suggesting you stop taking medication, or that you send your child to football practice with a stomach upset, but considering exercise when you are feeling under the weather could turn out to be the tonic you are looking for!
GET UP AND OUT!
JUST getting off the sofa can feel like a struggle when you have a banging headache or crippling period pains, but trust me, getting moving will work wonders when it comes to helping you manage the pain. Gentle exercise will help the blood flow around your body, sending its healing properties where you need it.
On top of that, endorphins act as a natural painkiller and will also be released during and following any physical exertion.
So, even if going for a bike ride is the last thing you want to do, you may find it will enable you to carry on with the rest of your day instead of spending it in pain.
This also goes for days when you
ar are feeling a littl little anxious, stress stressed or just a bit uncomfo uncomfortable. The exercise will lift your mood, help you forget about your ailments, and set you up for the rest of the day.
GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT
A FANTASTIC bi-product of exercise is that you use up lots of energy, so there is little left to spend lying awake worrying, over-thinking things or being too conscious of the pain to relax.
If you are physically tired, you will get a better quality of sleep, giving you better foundations for the day ahead. Remember, this is important for everyone – even children need to ensure they are getting enough sleep to help them concentrate for school.
You don’t have to run a marathon or go to a high intensity training class to benefit, doing something fairly active for around half an hour should get your pulse racing and
utilise some of the stored-up energy. As long as your breathing gets a little quicker and you feel warmer you will be doing yourself good.
HEALING AND RECOVERY
EXERCISE can also help your body fight off infections and recover more quickly. That doesn’t mean you can out-run Covid 19 (we wish!) but it will put your body in the best shape possible so that it can fight off viruses that attack your body. A 20-minute walk to the shop or encouraging the kids to get outside, rather than spending the day inactive, will help tackle some of the symptoms.
The act of walking or jogging will also help focus your breathing, acting as a natural decongestant and clearing sinuses. Swimming and yoga are also a great options because they also focus on breathing techniques, and the gentle stretching involved will also help relieve aches and pains. As a general rule, you can exercise with a cold if your symptoms are above the neck – sneezing, sinus pressure etc. If it’s reached the chest, or you have a fever, it’s better to stay at home. Obviously, under cur current circumstances it’s also important im to follow Governm Government guidelines when it comes to socialising and symptoms so if in doubt, don’t forget a home workout is just as effective.
DOCTOR’S ORDERS
GPs across the country are recognising the benefits of exercise and even prescribe it as a treatment. This can be anything from swimming, walking and cycling, to movement, balance and rehab sessions.
And it’s not just people with issues relating to weight, it’s also recommended for patients with chronic illnesses, movement issues, depression or mental health problems. The prescriptions are aimed at encouraging patients to try something new, prevent symptoms from getting worse, and in most cases, put you back in charge of your own health rather than medication – so it’s definitely a good thing.
SO WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY?
IF your child is feeling anxious about doing something new or changes to their routine, why not suggest a kick about in the park and see how much if lifts their spirits?
Likewise, next time you can feel a headache coming on, why not go for a walk or a bike ride and see if you can stop it getting any worse?