Stay physically fit and active through life

Being active also reduces stress, boosts energy, and lowers your risk of disease. Most people think formal exercise is the only form of activity that counts in terms of health, but research has shown otherwise. Healthy activities includes all sorts of things, from housecleaning to gardening to doing aerobics. Your goal should be at least 30 minutes each day of physical activity. Here are some tips to help:

Do things you enjoy, and it's more likely you'll continue to do them.

If you play sports, do so for fun, not to win.

Invite a friend to come along, or join a group.

Wear the right gear. Supportive shoes, helmets, and other safety equipment will help protect from injury.

Split the 30 minutes into three 10-minute intervals if you don't have an extended period of time.

Here are a few examples of everyday activities that you might not have considered "exercise":

Household chores such as mopping the floors and vacuuming

Yard work like pulling weeds and mowing the lawn

Washing the car by hand

Taking stairs instead of escalators or elevators

Recreational activities such as dancing and bowling.

The Houston YMCA is an advertiser in our 'Get Healthy Houston' program