Editor's Letter

Sept/Oct 2021

Dear Friends

Many articles in this issue of Great Health GuideTM have a common thread; the benefits associated with movement including, exercise, walking and running. The COVID-19 lockdowns have changed the daily routine and staying at home due to lockdown rules has become the new norm. However, generally people are able to exercise for one hour each day even if they are in lockdown and those fortunate to be less restricted can exercise at any time.

In the Benefits of Running: Part 1, the author writes, “Particularly relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown that the physiological response to this form of exercise improves cardiovascular health and creates a protective effect against the virus. If we have a fit heart and lungs, we are less likely to contract viruses, & we are also less likely to have detrimental health consequences if we do contract a virus!”

If that is not a good enough reason to continue to exercise, read Movement for Mental Health that states, “Exercise is therapeutic for anxiety and depression and the effects of exercise for anxiety & depression do add up over time. Anxiety manifests uniquely from person to person. It is thought that exercise provides a distraction from worries and unpleasant bodily sensations, as well as regulating the nervous system when it is heightened.”

In Understanding Perimenopause, the author maintains that “During this time it is important to replace your strenuous exercise with gentle and regular walking. This can be beneficial for weight loss, insulin sensitivity, growth hormone secretions and will improve the ability for the body to repair and recover.”

The theme on the benefits of exercise continues in Tips for a Better Night’s

Sleep: Part 1 which demonstrates the positive effect of daytime activities on improving sleep. In another article, Positive Body Image for Teenagers states, “exercise can be an excellent social opportunity, or it can be something that you do to help you relax and enjoy time on your own.”

So what is the take-away from this issue? Any movement, including walking, exercise and running do provide long and lasting benefits to your health. Enjoy. Kathryn x