Active Living 101

ACTIVE LIVING 101

Being active is good for your mental and physical health in many ways. Regular physical activity can:

• reduce stress
• help you to feel more energized
• improve your concentration
• improve your self-confidence
• increase your energy
• boost your mood
• help you feel strong and physically healthy
• strengthen your heart, muscles and bones
• reduce your risk of illness and disease
• be a great way to socialize and meet new people

You don’t need an expensive gym membership to be active. In fact, you can fit physical activity into your day in lots of different ways. If you haven’t been very active lately, start with small, realistic goals, in order to set yourself up for success.

Here are some ideas to bring more physical activity into your day:

• Walk to get where you need to go (a friend’s house, to the coffee shop, etc.).
• Bike or get off the bus early before you get to your destination.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Explore your neighbourhood or your university’s campus. Try and find new trails or bike routes to explore.
• Be active with your friends – get together to play volleyball, go on a bike ride or play soccer.
• See if your school has intramurals or low cost recreation clubs you can get involved in.
• Try a free exercise app where you can easily pick different types of exercises. Check out the Apps and Tools section for ideas.
• Get a workout group together. You can go to the gym together, play sports or try something new.
• Try different activities like running, swimming or weight lifting to keep from getting bored. Try to incorporate both cardiovascular and strength exercises into your day.

A good way to stay motivated is to try new things. The right amount of exercise is different for everyone – remember to listen to your body. It’s important to enjoy yourself and any type of activity that gets you moving is great!

If you have concerns about your exercise habits, talk with your doctor. You can also find more information on the Body Image, Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders page.