In modern life, exercise seems to have become a luxury rather than a necessary lifestyle. However, daily activities such as walking and cleaning are invisible exercises, and their impact on our health cannot be ignored. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. This does not only refer to exercise in the gym, but also includes daily activities that are often ignored by us.
"Sports activity is any voluntary body movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure."
Walking is a simple yet effective form of exercise. Whether it’s walking to work, going shopping in the supermarket, or taking a walk in the park, these seemingly insignificant actions can have a huge positive impact on our health. Studies show that, on average, walking 10,000 steps a day can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
"When walking, the body's heart rate and breathing rate increase, which helps enhance cardiovascular health."
In addition, walking can improve mental health and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Many people can relax more during a walk, which helps release stress and improve their mood.
When it comes to cleaning, many people may think that it is just a housework and not exercise. However, in reality, our hearts, muscles, and joints are all active during the cleaning process. Activities such as vacuuming, mopping the floor, and tidying up the home consume a lot of energy and promote blood circulation throughout the body.
"Moderate housework has been shown to increase muscle strength and flexibility and even aid weight loss."
A survey found that people who engaged in various forms of housework had better physical and mental health than those who often sat still in a long-term follow-up study.
According to multiple studies, low levels of physical activity are closely linked to many health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and mental health problems. Maintaining appropriate exercise frequency and intensity can not only help prevent these diseases, but also improve existing health conditions.
"There is growing evidence that light activities in daily life can also play a key role in improving overall health."
Therefore, being active in daily activities and increasing the frequency of walking and cleaning is crucial to maintaining health. Even small changes, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can go a long way in increasing your daily physical activity.
Incorporating physical activity into your daily life doesn’t require any special time or money. Instead, we can increase our activity levels by enjoying daily activities. For example, having a cleaning competition with your family, or playing music on a loop and dancing around the house can make exercise more fun and relaxing.
“Simple and intuitive forms of exercise mean that we don’t necessarily need to go to the gym.”
Reviewing these small, everyday actions, whether it's walking, cleaning, or spending time outdoors with friends, are great ways to increase your physical activity levels. So, are you ready to start incorporating this daily movement into your life and make your body and mind healthier?