

It’s clear that being more active benefits everyone and helps us live longer, healthier lives.This document is intended for use by policy makers, health professionals, and researchers, and it may be useful to interested members of the public. Science has linked being inactive and sitting too much with higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and lung cancers, and early death. The takeaway: Move more, with more intensity, and sit less. But don’t wait! Get started today by simply sitting less and moving more, whatever that looks like for you. If you have a chronic condition or disability, talk with your healthcare provider about what types and amounts of physical activity are right for you before making too many changes.

Taking a brisk walk for five or ten minutes a few times a day will add up. And you can break it up into short bouts of activity throughout the day. It's free, easy and can be done just about anywhere, even in place.Īny amount of movement is better than none. The simplest way to get moving and improve your health is to start walking. Don't let all-or-nothing thinking keep you from doing what you can every day. You can work up toward the recommended amount by increasing your time as you get stronger. Even if you've been sedentary for years, today is the day you can begin to make healthy changes in your life. What if I’m just starting to get active?ĭon’t worry if you can’t reach 150 minutes per week just yet.

Knowing your target heart rate can also help you track the intensity of your activities.įor maximum benefits, include both moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity in your routine along with strengthening and stretching exercises.

The guidelines are based on current scientific evidence supporting the connections between physical activity, overall health and well-being, disease prevention and quality of life. They recommend how much physical activity we need to be healthy. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. These recommendations are based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, published by the U.S. And if you’re sedentary, sitting less is a great place to start. Being more active can help all people think, feel and sleep better and perform daily tasks more easily. Only about one in five adults and teens get enough exercise to maintain good health.
