Submitted by Lorelei Wakefield, DC
Lorelei Wakefield, DC
In this time of crisis, we are instructed on so many things we can’t or shouldn’t do. I would like to share with you something we can and should be doing.
One of the BEST things you can do for your health is to be physically active. Exercise, move, or whatever you want to call it but just be active. Being active helps the body, mind and spirit and Now is a great time to start an exercise habit.
Exercise increases your heart rate which promotes blood flow and oxygen to all cells of your body and brain. This, in turn will:
● Improve mood, decrease feelings of anxiety and stress! It actually produces changes in the parts of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety, and can increase the brain’s ability to use the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which relieve feelings of depression. It can increase the production of endorphins which help produce positive feelings and reduce perception of pain and help with HEALING! It can IMPROVE brain function and thinking skills as well as protect memory.
● Moderate exercise can also increase your body’s production of natural antioxidants which protect cell health. It improves insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular fitness, decreases blood pressure and blood fat levels. This means it decreases your chances of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and belly fat!
● Reduce chronic pain. Several studies show it controls pain, can raise pain tolerance and decrease pain perception. It will also improve muscle tone and flexibility, which is in turn will protect our joints.
● It decreases our chance of osteoporosis or bone loss as we age.
Exercise is an amazing and inexpensive way to help with overall health, and needs to be added to your daily routine and made into a habit. Start with an activity you like to do and start at doing it 10 minutes per day working to 30 minutes per day. Exercise is just one more way to be a Champion of Health and is something you can control during these challenging times.
Dr. Lorelei Wakefield is a chiropractor at NorthLakes Community Clinic – Park Falls.
