Green exercise is any activity outdoors. The proven benefits of exercise are  compounded by the proven benefits of tree aerosols.

Many of us have set 10,000 steps a day as a healthy benchmark. This idea may not be all it is cracked up to be. In fact that 10,000 number came from a 30 year old Japanese business slogan. The figure is from a 1960s marketing campaign.

UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

This has been linked to health benefits including a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Public Health England  and Dr Zoe Williams, Clinical Champion for Physical Activity and Lifestyle, said:

I’d advise anyone of any age and activity level to start to fit in at least one 10 minute brisk walk a day as a simple way to get more active, especially those who may be taking medication for a long term health condition – you will receive even more benefits from walking briskly for 10 minutes or more a day.

Taking a brisk 10 minute walk each day will get your heart pumping, improve your mood and lower the risk of serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:

Small, often simple, lifestyle changes can have a really positive impact on our health and wellbeing.

There has been a substantial rise in the number of patients who have developed multiple, long-term conditions in recent years, and many of these, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease, are linked to not being active enough.

The additional health benefits that can be achieved by walking at a brisk pace for periods of 10 minutes or more – as opposed to totting up a certain number of steps throughout the day – are undeniable.

Moderate intensity physical activity means getting the heart rate up and breathing faster. Just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day is an easy way for adults to introduce more moderate intensity physical activity into their day and reduce their risk of early death by up to 15%.

Nordic Walking

 Nordic walking is one way to increase walking intensity. This is  because we are working our arms and legs. 

Here are what I think are the best poles because they were designed by a rehabilitation team. They are top of the line. 

You might like to start wth poles for less than $40 like I did. This lower level investment got me hooked on nordic walking.

So when you are walking get your heart beating and your breathing going faster. These short bursts of higher intensity walking will help you to live longer.  

So let’s keep going outside often, moving as fast as we can for short periods, and take deep breaths.

Please say it with me “Healthy Tree, Healthy Me”

Verla

PS Remember your UVB and UVA sunscreen. My dermatologist recommended La Roche Posay. I like this tinted one. I has a hint of colour and gives me a healthy glow. It evens out my skin colour. Sometimes I think I look a little air brushed. Now that is an unexpected lift.