Overcoming Barriers to Active Living
Editors Note: Although this submission from the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit does not directly relate to Sports in Chatham-Kent, or sporting news, we believe it is important to promote healthy, active lifestyles in Chatham-Kent, not just through sport, but in all ways.
Physical activity is good for our health while a sedentary lifestyle increases our risk for obesity, heart disease, type II diabetes and some forms of cancer. We all seem to know this, yet around 85% of us are still not active enough to realize these health benefits. In fact, the average Canadian adult spends almost 70% of their waking hours being sedentary. This includes time spent sitting in vehicles, at work, at school, or in front of a screen. Although some reasons for not being active could just pass as excuses, there may be many real barriers that keep us from moving.
If we understand the common barriers to getting more active, we can understand how best to overcome them”, says Kelly Murumets, President and CEO of ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada. “At the end of the day we don’t need to reinvent ourselves-we just need to find ways to move more.”
Lack of time is probably the most common barrier to being active. The new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines have time requirements that should be easier to achieve but also ask for more effort. The new guidelines state that for health benefits adults must be moderately to vigorously active for at least 150 minutes per week and children must get at least 60 minutes per day. A simple way to tell if you are putting enough effort into your activity is by using the talk test. The activity should increase your breathing rate enough so that you can talk but it becomes difficult to carry on a conversation. Spreading shorter 10-minute bouts of activity throughout the day can help you reach your goal and make it easier to fit within your busy schedule.
Another barrier that can keep us glued to our couch is the thought that you need to be an athlete or gym buff to live an active lifestyle. This is simply not true. Activities like going for a brisk walk each day, dancing at social events or trying a new class at your local community centre can all help you become active and improve your health.
Making physical activity a part of your daily routine and staying motivated can also be tricky, especially if you are just starting out. Participating with friends in a team sport, group activity, or just going out for an evening stroll, can provide you with the social support you need to stay active and keep you having fun. Whatever motivates you, keep doing it. Challenge yourself and overcome your barriers to getting active. It could be the healthiest decision of your life.