Physical Activity

'Physical activity' is a general term to describe any movement that uses up energy. It can be anything from walking, gardening or housework to dancing and sports. A lack of physical activity has now been recognised as one of the three main causes of heart disease. In fact, with two thirds of the Scottish adult population needing to increase their level of activity, it is the most common risk factor for heart disease in the country today.

Have a Heart Paisley is continually seeking to identify and develop new and innovative ways of improving physical activity levels in Paisley. The good news is that becoming active is easier than you think. Building more activity into your daily life is an easy way to keep healthy.

There are activities to suit everyone and by making small changes to your daily routine you can really begin to make a difference to the way you feel. Add a bit of Physical Activity to the things you do every day so that being active becomes a way of life. Incorporating Physical Activity into your routine is easy and fun…

Check out our Physical Activity Tips page on how you can get going.

THE BENEFITS

Regular physical activity can:

• Help to improve general health and fitness
• Help to lower your blood pressure
• Help to control your weight and body shape
• Help to improve energy levels
• Help to improve your sleep
• Be a way of  meeting new friends
• Be a way of having fun

HOW MUCH AND HOW OFTEN

The main aim is to be more active more often. Its not only what you do, its how often and how energetically you do it that counts. Aim to build up gradually to accumulate half and hour of moderate intensity physical activity on 5 or more days of the week. Moderate intensity activities make you feel warmer and breathe slightly harder than normal but that you can still talk.(brisk walking, swimming, gardening)

Everyone can benefit from being more physically active.