Members,
It has long been known that exercise is one of our greatest defenses against illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity to name a few. Exercise is also beneficial to those with depression and anxiety.
In addition to encouraging the stimulation of neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for mood, it can also help to relieve tension in muscles, help you sleep better, boost energy levels and ward off weight gain.
Increasing your level of physical activity can seem daunting; however, here are a few tips to help:
Start small: Even 10-15 minutes of activity has been shown to temporarily improve mood.
Set a realistic goal: Once a week is a great starting point and remember you can always change your goal later on. It may also be helpful to schedule it on the same day & time of the week and let it become part of your weekly routine.
Exercise is not a chore: If you do not like the gym, find an activity that you do like that will also get you moving. Some examples include sports, dancing, walking with a friend, pet or your favorite music, bicycling...
Identify your barriers: Address what is keeping you from exercising and modify your goal or strategy accordingly.
We invite all members to share their goals or questions with the group. There is strength and numbers!
Keep persevering!
Danielle
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The DC Support Team
