Exercise for healthy living

Physical activity is important for good health and wellbeing, and has social and emotional benefits.

To get the most benefits, try participating in different types of activities that you enjoy.

Aim to be as active as much as possible during your day.

Benefits of physical activity

Being active regularly will help:

healthy weight management
improve mood and reduce stress
improve heart health
reduce chances of developing chronic diseases and some cancers
maintain muscle mass and mobility as you get older
keep older adults physically strong and better able to move about without falling or becoming too tired.

It's never too late to start doing something.

You should choose an activity you enjoy as you are more likely to keep it up.

You don't have to spend money to be active.

To be more active, you can:

try different activities for different benefits - walking, cycling, water aerobics, line dancing, yoga, belly dancing
exercise with friends - it's easier to stay committed and more fun
walk or ride to the shop instead of driving
get a step counter (pedometer) to increase your daily goal
walk your dog every day, or just walk every day
park your car further away and walk
get off the bus one stop earlier
take the stairs instead of the lift
join a sport or recreation club or sign-up for a corporate event
spend a couple of hours gardening at least once a week.

To find out how to be more active at work, read about healthy workplaces.

Find out about physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians on the Australian Government's Department of Health website.

To find healthy active lifestyle choices in your region in the NT, read:

For information on sport programs, recreation development and events, go to the Territory Families, Housing and Communities.

You can also visit the following websites:

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