If you’re used to making the excuse that you just don’t have the time to exercise, you may want to consider recent research on the impact of exercise on life expectancy. One recently published study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that just 10 minutes of exercise per week can have a positive impact on a person’s lifespan. In fact, a series of recent studies have found a correlation between living longer and taking part in low-impact exercise on a regular basis. But 10 minutes is pretty insignificant over the course of a week. So, can it really make a difference?
Can 10 minutes of exercise really make a difference?
The CDC recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate activity per week—or 75 minutes of vigorous activity. However, lower levels of exercise can still have a positive effect on your health. People who get just 10-59 minutes of physical activity per week have an 18% lower risk of early death than those who are completely sedentary. As you increase the frequency of exercise, the risk continues to drop.
Why is exercise so important to your health?
Exercise has a long list of potential benefits to your health. Most importantly, it curbs your risk for heart disease and cancer—two of the leading causes of death in the United States. To see continuing benefits from a small amount of exercise, make a habit of moving a little bit more each day. For example, you can take a detour on your daily walking route to add more steps or do a few squats while waiting for dinner to cook. As research shows, every little bit counts.
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