On the Move - Mind and Body……….2008
Want to improve your mental health? What about exercise as a way to relieve stress? Wellness starts with physical activity. In fact, 30 minutes a day of moderate activity is enough to greatly improve your health. Some of the mental health benefits are: *helps you handle stress *gives you more energy *helps you sleep better *improves your mood *decreases symptoms of anxiety *improves self-esteem *decreases symptoms of depression Exercise makes us feel better. Exercise helps your mind and body. Endorphins may account in part for the elevated mood experienced after exercise. Another mechanism that may contribute to feeling better after exercising is being distracted. We often temporarily forget about our stressors as we focus on exercise. Aerobic exercise can turn your stress into energy. You can reduce tension with a calming exercise.
Walking is one of the easiest and best exercises. There are city trails for a safe and easy access to outdoor walking through parks or rails to trails walkways. Indoor walking is available at the public library lower level in the PATCH temporary walking track or at the mall. Join the YMCA or area fitness facilities, walk the school gym or use the fitness equipment. Organized walking campaigns help us keep active. Your children will be encouraged to participate in activities through a continuation of the Kids on the Move school project.
N-Lighten Nebraska 2009 is a four-month competition (February 1-June1, 2009) encourages Nebraskans to develop healthy activity and eating habits. (www.n-lightennebraska.com).Walk Nebraska.org or America on the Move.org are online campaigns that takes you on visual trails throughout the state as you keep count of your steps PATCH Gage County on the Move walking campaign will be this spring. Sign up in March with walks starting in April. Great prizes and kids prizes too! Watch for details or check our website at <www. beatricene.com/patch>.
Use aerobic exercise to turn stress into energy. Walk, swim, Jog or ride a bike on the city trails or city streets. Take a Jazzercise class held at the city auditorium or a pilates or aerobic class at the Y. Turn household chores like mopping or raking into a workout. Check out an exercise video at the library or a local video rental. Walk your dog in the city pet exercise pen. Rollerskate. Reduce tension with calming exercises…take a stretch break regularly (even at work). Stroll around your neighborhood after dinner (do the walk with a friend and get to know them better). Relax with a yoga video. Check out a Tai Chi video. Videos from the local library or rental stores or buy a video from local discount stores.
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