Regular physical activity can help prevent and/or manage many chronic diseases including heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and several cancers. Getting active helps build connections with others and the community, improving quality of life by adding life to our years. Regular physical activity supports:
- Improved mental health and well-being
- Management of symptoms of depression and anxiety
Benefits of physical activity
- Being active - Government of Canada
- Physical activity: Benefits of exercise for health and wellbeing - About Kids Health
- Physical activity (PDF) - National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH)
How do I increase my physical activity?
- Active and safe central - BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU)
- Adding physical activity to your life - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Overcoming physical activity barriers - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Fitness and exercise - HealthLink BC
- Overcoming barriers: Adding more physical activity to your life - HealthLink BC
- Join the movement: How to get and stay active - Sport England
- Physical activity and sport resources - First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
- Physical activity basics - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Physical activity services - HealthLink BC
- Wellness streams: Being active - First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
Inspiration
- What is the single best thing we can do for our health? (video) - Reframe Health Lab
- Every move counts (video) - World Health Organization (WHO)
- Let’s be active for health (video) - World Health Organization (WHO)
National initiatives
- ParticipACTION - ParticipACTION
- Report card on physical activity for adults - ParticipACTION
- Report card on physical activity for children and youth - ParticipACTION
- YMCA at home - YMCA Canada