EXERCISE IS MEDICINE! Several years ago the American Medical Association began a campaign to encourage healthcare providers, their patient's and the general public to be more physically active. What's the difference between physical activity and exercise you may ask? Fundamentally, exercise is just programed or organized physical activity for a specific purpose. Exercise affects the body ( all 11 organ systems) and brain in profound ways that often obtain better results than prescribed medications. For example, physical activity is an extremely important component for the treatment of hypertension, type II diabetes, obesity (now classified as a disease ) and other physical illnesses. Additionally, it is also beneficial towards treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety with some studies suggesting equal or superior efficacy over the standard medicines for these mental illnesses.
The onset of our digital age has brought us comforts and conveniences that have been a tremendous boon to our way of life. However, the downside of a digitized world is a vastly more sedentary lifestyle that has contributed to the chronic diseases that plague our communities, cities and states. The beautiful thing about increasing physical activity is that everybody - young, old, rich, poor - can do it. Some of us may need coaching or motivation to get and stay started with a healthy behavior program but that is where AHAD Health & Wellness can be of assistance. Give us a try!
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