CLIENT LEAFLET Exercise is good for you

Exercise can play a very important role in helping you stay healthy and avoid illness which can lead to poor health, sometimes for the rest of your life. Research has shown it can reduce your risk of suffering

from osteoporosis (fragile bones), heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes. It has also been shown to improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of

developing diabetes as well as some cancers.

Not doing exercise is bad for your health Not doing physical activity can lead to higher risks of suffering from the conditions mentioned above.

It’s better than any pill If you could capture all the benefits of physical activity in one pill, somebody would be onto a very valuable recipe! Not only can it help prevent a whole range of diseases but it can also help in various chronic pain conditions like back pain and arthritis. There are also many social and psychological benefits including promoting a feeling of wellbeing, improving mood, helping you sleep better, and reducing stress.

It’s fun and good for everyone The great thing is that exercise is good for everyone so wherever you live, it would be good for you to get those around you to go out for a walk together. That way you can all help motivate each other and as you get fitter you will find you can do more for less effort.

Exercise for wellbeing

How can physical activity help YOU? l It can help you lose weight particularly if you combine this with cutting calories and eating healthily.

l It helps build muscle which means you burn more calories even when you’re not exercising.

l It helps protect you against other conditions which cause ill health like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and some cancers.

l In the long run, physical activity is as effective as drugs in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.

l Did you know that several short bouts of activity (eg. 3 x 10 minutes) is as useful as 30 continuous minutes?

l Physical activity helps reduce stress and improves your overall feeling of wellbeing and quality of life, as well as helping you to sleep well.

Staying safe If you get any of the following problems stop and ask for medical advice from your GP or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647: l Discomfort in your chest or upper body l Uncomfortable or severe breathlessness brought on by physical activity l Dizziness or nausea on exertion l Fainting during or just after exercise l Palpitations (a very fast or irregular heart beat) during activity.

What next? l If you haven’t exercised before or for a long time, it would be best to visit your GP to make sure you start in the right way. Your GP may also be able to advise you on local schemes organised by your Primary Care Trust.

l If you have a medical condition like arthritis, high blood pressure or diabetes, then a good source of information is the appropriate medical charity for your condition. Most of these charities offer specific exercise and lifestyle advice. Examples include the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, Arthritis Research Campaign or Cancer Research UK.

l Local YMCA clubs or public gyms will offer a range of exercise opportunities, some of which may focus on specific age groups or medical conditions.

Want more leaflets for your clients? See next page 26 The REPs Journal 2010;17(June):26