As springtime flies by and summertime approaches the importance of either entering into or maintaining/increasing our activity levels through regular movement-oriented activities is a very important goal towards achieving an improved quality of life through a healthier lifestyle.

There are many directions one can take towards achieving better health.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month are celebrated in May. It is an initiative by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Since 1983, each President has proclaimed May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month to promote the importance of physical activity, physical fitness and sports participation.

The focus of today’s column is to present a broad overview of the importance of being physically active and provide some recommended tips which are not inclusive of the myriad of activities one can undertake to be more physically active. In addition there are physical activity guidelines that have been developed to help guide us on this journey.

There are many ways to be physically active. All kinds of active pastimes can help improve our physical and mental well-being, making physical activity one of the best ways to stay or get healthy.

Some benefits can be achieved immediately – like improved blood pressure and reduced anxiety – while other benefits are the result of making physical activity a regular part of your routine.

Everyday physical activity tips:

Walk whenever possible

• Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator

• Take a family walk after dinner

• Park farther from the store and walk

• Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV or viewing your phone or computer

Move more in your home

• Garden, or make home repairs

• Do yard work. Get your children to help rake, weed or plant

• Work around the house. Ask your children to help with active chores

• Wash the car by hand

Live actively

• Join an exercise group, and enroll your children in community sports teams or lessons

• Choose an activity that fits into your daily life/lives

• Dance to music with your family

• Choose activities you enjoy. Ask children what activities they want to do

The physical activity guidelines:

• Adults should move more and sit less throughout the day. Some physical activity is better than none. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity gain some health benefits.

• For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity and 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity

• Adults should also do muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or greater intensity and involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week

Please consider the many-varied health benefits of physical activity and take the challenge of undertaking this lifestyle change. Be sure to check with a qualified health professional if you have specific concerns relevant to physical activity and exercise prior to making a change.

Additional information/resources

Check out the top 10 things to know from the second edition of The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans published by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, United States Department of Health & Human at odphp.health.gov

The full report of The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans can be downloaded at odphp.health.gov

Intervention approaches reviewed by the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) for increasing physical activity with summaries of the CPSTF finding for each can be reviewed a: odphp.health.gov

Summary CPSTF Findings Table for Physical Activity | The Community Guide at thecommunityguide.org

Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D., R.D.N. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 40 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in International/Intercultural Development Education at Florida State University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Get moving to celebrate National Physical Fitness Month