A 2010 study from the USA demonstrated that the more time you spend sitting every day, the higher your risk of death.
In order for you to improve your general health, start by simply going outside, says South African Society of Physiotherapy President, Dr Linda Steyn.
According to Dr Steyn, we need to move more often during the day; physical fitness is not just about getting to the gym and pushing yourself hard for an hour a day. More studies are indicating that we need to get up from our desks and couches and get moving regularly during the day, as often as every twenty minutes or half hour.
This need to move applies to everyone, no matter your age or state of fitness.
Exercise really is a great prescription for many ills and offers profound benefits to people living with a range of disabilities.
Dr Steyn adds that exercise can also help you to improve mental well-being and that it compares favourably to antidepressant medications as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression and has also been shown to improve depressive symptoms when used as an adjunct to medications.
While not as extensively studied, exercise has shown to be an effective and cost-efficient treatment alternative for a variety of anxiety disorders.
Anyone can move a little more each day, but if you’re planning to start a regular exercise programme, consult a physiotherapist to ensure you do what’s healthiest for you.
During this year’s National Physiotherapy Back Week held from 8to 14 September, physiotherapists across South Africa will be offering free assessments in many public spaces like shopping malls.
To find out where, or to find a physiotherapist nearest to you, contact The South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) at 011 615 3170.
