We were made to move.
When we don't, our health suffers....but when we do, we thrive. Through evolution, our bodies and brains were built to adapt. With use and challenge, we grow stronger. With disuse and apathy, our abilities diminish and atrophy. This principle applies to all our potentials: physical, mental and social.
Humans have evolved to live actively in nature and to interact in a community.
Yet to many, the idea of exercise brings to mind four-letter words, like pain and work. Physical activity is not just for athletes and kids; it is essential to every one of us.
Healthy physical activity is one of the four foundations of self-care (a healthy lifestyle). The others are a healthy diet, healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing.
Of the aspects of health that are under your control, the most important predictor of your future health are the habits you practice today.
What are the benefits of physical activity? Here are my top seven:
- Decreased risks for heart disease, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.
- Maintenance of a healthy weight.
- Improved fitness of your heart, lungs and muscles.
- Reduced falls and improved brain health. When your limbs, eyes and brain are accustomed to movement, your balance, agility and ability to react improve. When blood flows better throughout your body, it also provides better circulation to your brain. A healthy body supports a healthy brain.
- Weight-bearing activities (including walking and hiking) help maintain bone density and reduce fracture risks.
- Improved sleep.
- Improved emotional well-being by decreasing stress hormones such as cortisol and increasing endorphins, our natural painkillers.
There are many social benefits to physical activities such as walking with friends and family, dancing, pickle ball, badminton, yoga, Zumba and cycling.
As a first step towards regular physical activity, consider the simple act of walking.
As I walk through my neighbourhood with my Labradoodle, I see, smell, hear and feel so much more of the world immediately around me than when I drive or even cycle. I feel closer to my community — the natural world and my neighbours.
When we step away from our devices and out our private homes into our neighbourhoods, we literally step away from our separate selves and connect to our community.
We become a part of nature and a part of a social world. We foster greater connection with others and bolster our greater identity as members of a greater whole.
Dr. Davidicus Wong is a Burnaby family physician and has written for the NOW since 1991.
It's not too late to join Burnaby and New Westminster's WALK30 Challenge.
Anyone in either city is invited to participate and track how many minutes you walk each day this month.
It's a great warm up for the Doctors of BC’s annual Walk With Your Doc. In most communities beginning the week of May 11, doctors will be hosting community walks with their patients and all members of the public. Everyone is welcome to join Burnaby's Walk With Your Doc (usually the biggest in the province) at Confederation Park in North Burnaby 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 11, 2024.
I'll be giving a pre-walk talk on healthy physical activity at 10 a.m. at the Confederation Seniors Centre. For more information and to register for this free event, you can visit the city's website.
As part of the Burnaby Division of Family Practice, Dr. Wong be presenting a free online public presentation on Emotional Wellbing and Resilience Practices at 7 p.m. on April 23.
For more information, contact Leona at [email protected] or 604-259-4450.
