With the chilly weather of late, the attraction to curl up and hibernate is difficult to resist. In fact, it is nearly impossible to resist! The more you sit about, the colder you’re likely to get; but then you probably already know that, as you reach to turn up the heat pump or crank up the fire.

As unpleasant as it seems, you need to move, and move anyway possible. Movement stokes that metabolic fire, gets more oxygen into your system and produces more heat. You get warmer, and you save yourself some addditional heating costs (no mean feat these days!).

Which, in a round-a-bout way brings me to the necessity of exercise. The truism of ‘do it or lose it’ applies to just about everything your body or mind are capable of doing. Movement is life in every sense and where possible, movement and enjoyment should go together, in this combination being sustainable.

Moderate and enjoyable exercise needs to be conducted at a rate that ensures you speak in clipped sentences, breathing somewhat more heavily. Do this for about 30 minutes daily, over and above your usual activity profile. Brisk walking (or equivalent) fits the bill. The benefits are endless.

For example: live longer and healthier, decreased heart disease, decreased cholesterol, decreased risk of stroke, protection against cancers (colon and breast), reduced risk and better control of type 2 diabetes, help reduce osteoporosis and the risk of falls, reduce depression, anxiety and improve mood, control your weight and establish better mental function. (Harvard School of Public Health) Let’s also not forget to mention a reduced risk of back pain episodes and more effective management of chronic or persistent pain states.

Try it and see.

And remember, a regular 30 minutes a day of brisk walking gains massive benefits over time (a month or two). Try doing it with someone else. That helps let you off the solitary-effort hook. Remember, ensuring that your activity is fun means that it is more likely to be sustainable.

Just celebrate the fact that you’re moving! There’s no need to become an Olympics jock. You’re likely to be around much longer to enjoy the benefits! And if all this is too much to contemplate then consider the minimum amount of activity you’d accept as a plausible possibility and get as many people around you, members of your family and co-workers to acknowledge your commitment to a single half hour session a week. You’re likely to find that this gradually creeps up, particularly when you see what your improved circulation does for your power bills!