May is National Physical Fitness Month, when we can prioritize physical activity and exercise to improve our health and well-being. Regular physical activity can have even more significant advantages for those with limited mobility. Exercise can boost mobility, lower the risk of secondary health issues, and enhance the quality of life. Let's discuss the importance of physical activity and how you can start incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Join us in celebrating Physical Fitness Month and promoting health and wellness for all!
Why should you exercise? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults with disabilities are more likely to have obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer than adults without disabilities. Physical activity can reduce the risk and help manage these chronic conditions. Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of those chronic conditions. It can also help improve your range of motion and flexibility. Overall, it is proven that exercise can improve your physical health.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), regular physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve overall mental health. In addition, physical activity has been shown to positively impact mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. This is particularly important for people with disabilities who may experience additional emotional and psychological stressors. The National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) also add to this by stating that regular physical activity can improve overall health, reduce stress, and increase socialization and community involvement. All these factors can contribute to an improved quality of life.
The CDC recommends that all adults do moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity at least 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) a week. They also suggest moderate or high-intensity workouts, like adapted yoga, involving all major muscle groups 2 or more days a week. We make weekly physical activity easy here at Disability Partnerships. We've got free and virtual weekly exercise classes. The Health and Wellness 4 All program involves weekly live adaptive exercise classes over Zoom. These classes include adaptive Zumba, adaptive fitness, adaptive boxing, and adaptive yoga. They are all designed for persons with a disability or senior citizens and are free of charge. Our classes are fun, high-energy fitness classes. Participants engage in low-to-moderate-intensity workouts targeting muscular strength, flexibility, and range of motion. On top of that, we've got monthly accessible yoga classes taught by a certified yoga instructor.
Let's make sure we prioritize our physical activity this month. Want to participate? It's still possible to join the May Fitness Challenge: Aim for 25 mins of daily physical activity as the Physical Activity Guidelines recommend. Also, don't forget Disability Partnerships offers free and virtual weekly exercise classes for people with little to no mobility or senior citizens. So join us in celebrating this month and take the first step towards a healthier you.
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