Daily Medication Activates Wellbeing
The message is clear. Time again we hear - eat less and do more. In fact, our recommended daily calorie intake is set to be reduced. And our physical activity guidance has changed over the years... Now, the overall time spent being active depends on the intensity.
It can be all a bit confusing.
Even our GP's don't know much about nutrition. That's becoming common knowledge. They have limited nutritional training. They simply repeat the mantra. And freely admit it. Now, as our food problem increase, some doctors seek help. So the doctors that have educated themselves in nutrition, like Dr Michael Mosley, put on seminars for health professionals. The overall message... food is medicine.
Get Lifted & Energised & Feel Happier
The reality is, exercise has been neglected too. Even though we get lifted and energised and feel happier doing it. Our healthcare isn't fitness trained. The likelihood is, your GP might only ask you a few simple questions to determine your overall health. Maybe they'll only ask them once and never again. Or if they find your health to be a bit lacking, they'll recommend you do something active like going for a brisk walk.
Incidentally, it's a shame because exercise can improve your body inside and out. Obviously, your muscles and bones strengthen. Your organs function better... your mind is clear and memory improves. And your skin glows and look healthy. The health benefits of exercise are yours for the taking...
...But it seems we're not moving enough. The research shows, on average, we are not hitting the 150 minutes per week target. As a matter of fact, according to the British Heart Foundation, only half of us are doing enough.
Owing to our increasingly stationary lifestyle and inactive work, something has to be done. Clearly, our activity levels need to increase. We have to get out of the chair, get off the sofa, and tally up the minutes. We need motivation - just like right now - as the new year is a great time to get moving.
Doctors to Prescribe Active Remedy
We need all the help we can get. However, our doctors seem to be in the dark when it comes to exercise. They could become a motivating point in your lifestyle. They could measure your ability and develop a program for you to follow. Because, as we already know, food is medicine and nutritional plans have been created to reverse diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Therefore, we could go down the route of Exercise is Medicine. Actually, the American College of Sports Medicine and the America Medical Association came together to create the charitable organisation Exercise is Medicine. Their driving force is to refocus health systems towards exercise.
Due to the strain on global health systems as we become increasingly diseased, any treatment must be welcomed. Especially when exercise can reduce risks of many diseases including cancers and diabetes and heart diseases. And reduce your risk of death.
In fact, Exercise is Medicine has gained momentum over the last 10 year. Their systems and solution are now global. The idea is beginning to trend. Just as we take superfoods and natural remedies rather than pills, we are beginning to look at how exercise can help with our illnesses and injuries.
With that in mind, the initiative uses a four-step process to assess, prescribe treatment, support, and refer you to expert resources. So instead of popping painkillers for an ongoing damaged shoulder, you'd treat the injury with exercise. Or if you are not hitting your fitness targets then you'll receive an activity prescription.
In the end, our doctors will not simply prescribe drugs to mask the problems, but they will deliver nutrition and exercise based medicine to boost your wellbeing. But you don't have to wait for them to catch up, take it a day at a time and do something active or seek professional assistance to fix that niggling injury.