Exercising your way to health

Exercise is wise!

Rewards and Benefits.

• Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. Exercising causes the body to produce endorphins, chemicals that can help a person to feel more peaceful and happy. Exercise can help some people sleep better. It can also help some people who have mild depression and low self-esteem. Plus, exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at having achieved a certain goal — like beating an old time in the 100-meter dash.
• Exercising can help you look better. People who exercise burn more calories and look more toned than those who don't. In fact, exercise is one of the most important parts of keeping your body at a healthy weight.
• Exercise helps people lose weight and lower the risk of some diseases. Exercising to maintain a healthy weight decreases a person's risk of developing certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Exercise can help a person age well.  Women are especially prone to a condition called osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones) as they get older. Studies have found that weight-bearing exercise, like jumping, running or brisk walking, can help girls (and guys!) keep their bones strong.Being fit can help us to recover more quickly from health setbacks. In fact, studies show that being physically unfit is as likely as smoking to make us die before our time.

West Kent PCT runs a number of initiatives to boost fitness level in our communities.

• We work with schools so children and young people understand the importance of being fit
•  We fund West Kent healthy living centres
•  We organise cardiac rehab classes for people with heart disease