Yes, you’ve heard it all before, but it bears repeating. According to studies conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, there’s no way around this bottom line: a sedentary lifestyle increases your chance of becoming overweight and letting disease get its foot in your door.

Regular physical activity helps the body function better and wards off many a lurking disease. According to a report by US Surgeon General, regular physical activity:

• Improves your chances of living longer and living healthier
• Protects against heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Helps protects against certain cancers, including colon and breast cancer
• Helps prevent or control adult-onset (type 2) diabetes
• Helps prevent arthritis and may help relieve pain and stiffness in people who already have it
• Helps prevent osteoporosis
• Reduces the risk of falling among older adults
• Relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety and genreally improves your mood

If you already exercise on a daily basis – that’s great! If not, how about trying a short walk every day? Start off easy with a short 10 minute walk. From there, gradually increase your walking to 30 minutes a day. The change is going to do you good! Better mood, more energy — you, only better!