Get Moving

Benefits of being active

We come in all different shapes and sizes, but we all have one thing in common: we can all benefit from moving our bodies.

Once you get moving, you’ll feel better, sleep better, have more energy, and overall be a better you!

The more you move your body, the less likely you are to have a stroke, develop type 2 diabetes, or have high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Kids should aim for at least 60 minutes a day. You can break it up into three separate 20-minute sessions or you can do it all at once. Adults should aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day for most days of the week.

How are you moving?

Now that you know how much you need to move, it’s time to think about how you’re moving. Here are two simple terms that are used to describe the intensity level of your body movements.
      • Moderate means you can talk but not sing while you’re moving.
      • Vigorous means you’ll find it hard to talk or sing while you do it. This is how hard you should get moving at least three times a week.

After exercising, how do you feel? Are you breathing harder? Is your face warm? These feelings are body cues that you should pay attention to. They tell us whether we’ve reached a moderate to vigorous activity level. You can also gauge your activity level by measuring your pulse before and after exercising.

Strengthen your muscles and bones
Remember to get your muscles moving too! Pumping a few cans while you dance around the house, or doing push-ups and sit-ups on the floor will help build your muscles. Think about doing these kinds of fun muscle movements three times a week.

Don’t forget about building bone mass! This is especially important for young people between nine and eighteen. Jumping rope, shooting hoops, even climbing stairs and dancing are great bone-building activities.

Physical activity in any form is important and essential to your physical and mental health.
The key is to get moving! You’ll feel stronger, have more energy, deal with stress better, and be a better you.

Learn how to move more with our helpful videos!

Learn how to get moving with our helpful tip sheets!

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