You’ve probably heard that Americans spend too much time sitting on their duffs. Well, not much has changed. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans still sit too much. In fact, 4 out of 10 adults don’t get any moderate or vigorous exercise on a weekly basis.
In a clinical report, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges doctors to write kids a prescription for play, explaining that playtime is vital for children’s “social-emotional, cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills.”
The report – an update to a report released in 2007 – notes that ample playtime helps little ones manage stress and forge nurturing relationships with their caretakers.
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It’s bad news for those who work in an office. A new study shows that sitting for eight hours per day can be as dangerous as obesity and even smoking. But there is something one can do to reverse this damage – exercise (or just get moving) for one hour per day!
Traditionally, women have avoided exercise during pregnancy because of a fear of giving birth early. However, new studies show that exercise is actually a great way for mother and baby to stay fit and keep the pregnancy as healthy as possible.
Your fidgeting may drive your boss crazy, but being restless at your desk may save you from the damning statistic that sitting for more than 8 or 9 hours a day raises your risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and early death.
Someday, couch potatoes may be able to swallow their exercise rather than having to engage in physical activity. Is this something we should really be striving for?
Researchers have found 1,000 molecular reactions to exercise, clearing the way for drug treatments that actually mimic the effects of exercise. The scientists have created a “blueprint” of these reactions. [1]
Mothers of small children ask me about natural health all the time. It happens in the line at my favorite natural grocer, or after a yoga class. Sometimes I receive questions through email or through a friend of a friend. It’s a universal desire for parents to give their children the best start possible, but our medical system is not set up to do that at all. In fact, in 6 key ways, it is harming our children and damaging their prospects for future health. Here’s how:
