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Exercise can act as a “shield” against the coronavirus. The new lockdown may keep us from exercising as much as we would like but it is necessary that we remain physically active, whatever our age. According to the World Health Organization, one consequence of quarantine is that it can lead to people getting used to a sedentary lifestyle, but it is crucial to take active breaks (even for 3-4 minutes) to wake our body up and keep our muscles alert.
Regular exercise has tremendous benefits for our mental and physical health. For example, walking and proper stretching are good activities, especially for those who are not into intense exercise. Exercise can lower blood pressure, help to better control one’s weight while also reducing the chances of heart disease, strokes and type II diabetes. Additionally, it can also prevent various types of cancer. All of these medical conditions can increase our sensitivity to Covid-19 and make us more vulnerable to the virus.
Exercise also improves muscle and bone strength and helps us maintain better balance and flexibility. Finally, regular exercise has incredible benefits for our mental health, as it reduces the chances of depression, strengthens our cognitive functions and slows down the onset of dementia.
The immune system
Exercise can kill bacteria in the lungs and airways, reducing the chances of catching a cold or the flu. According to research, our body fights off bacteria by activating certain cells. Through exercise, the levels of these cells increase and circulate faster in our blood so that they can attack the “invaders” more effectively.
Typically, their mobilization starts within a few minutes of starting to exercise and lasts for a few hours afterwards. Although the benefits are short-term, daily exercise has a cumulative effect and keeps the immune system alert.
Exercise
It is worth noting that according to the World Health Organization, adults should do moderate-intensity exercise for about 150 minutes a week, or at least 75 minutes if they do high-intensity exercise.
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