Physical activity (summary)

Try to be more active!

We all know that being active is good for our health. It helps us both physically and emotionally.

Being active can help you to manage your diabetes. A small increase in activity can make a big difference.

Exercise helps you to improve your diabetes by:

• Lowering your blood glucose.
• Lowering your weight.
• Helping your body to use its own insulin better.

Exercise helps to strengthen the muscles in your heart. This helps to:

• Improve your circulation.
• Lower your blood pressure.
• Lower your chance of a heart attack.

Exercise can improve your general health by:

• Strengthening your bones.
• Helping you to sleep better.
• Improving your mental wellbeing.

Exercise can:

• Reduce your risk of major illnesses (such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer) by up to 50%.
• Lower your risk of early death by 30%.

We can describe exercise as the ‘miracle cure we have always had but failed to use more.’

Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Any type of activity is good for you. The more you do the better for your health.