MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO

Get more exercise? Absolutely! There’s nothing better for your physical and mental wellbeing.

Physical activity has lots of benefits: from improving cardiorespiratory efficiency to boosting metabolism and thus increasing the amount of energy we use.

This is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes (typical of overweight adults) and obesity; it also increases bone density and muscle tone, and even aids mental wellbeing, because physical activity reduces and fights anxiety, stress and depression.

For adults, the World Health Organisation recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (or a combination of the two), in session lasting at least 10 minutes each, strengthening the main muscle groups at least twice a week.

In practice, this corresponds to about 20-30 minutes a day, or 3 training sessions lasting about an hour. A brisk walk will do, as will a bike ride, dancing, or even doing some housework at a fairly fast pace!