If you’re getting older and wondering how to stay fit, keep in mind that a little high-intensity activity daily is worth the effort. Everything you do to stay active is beneficial, but a small amount of high-intensity activity can help address fatigue, weakness and stiffness, says Jordan D. Metzl, MD, in an opinion piece for The Washington Post. And, you need not get this activity at the gym.
Walking, of course, is great. So, is eating a healthy diet and taking care of yourself. But, Metzel says that on top of these behaviors, how you move matters a lot. Even just a few minutes a day of getting your heart rate up a bit can do an enormous amount for your health and lifespan.
Why vigorous activity matters: One recent study found that, even among people who don’t exercise in any formal way, a couple of minutes of higher-intensity activity reduced the risk of chronic disease and death a lot.
The good news is that what counts as vigorous activity is not necessarily deliberate exercise. You just need to be doing things in your daily life that require some huffing and puffing, such as walking uphill or climbing stairs quickly, carrying heavy packages, or rushing to get somewhere.
Yes, going to a high-intensity exercise class is good for your health; it builds your fitness. Daily activities reinforce fitness. They increase your heart rate and use more of your muscles in ways that change your metabolism. You become more fit and stronger.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Aerobic exercise may be best medicine for your brain and body
- Optimism reduces risk of dementia
- Strong glutes deliver bang for your butt
- A healthy thymus likely means a longer life
- Are you aging well? Take these four tests
