It’s Time to Focus on Physical Fitness

May 2023 is when we celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. President Eisenhower established the President’s Council on Youth Fitness in 1956, and then in the early 1960s President Kennedy renamed it the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. He of course recognized that physical fitness and the health benefits that come with it are important for people of all ages, and wanted to encourage active lifestyles for all Americans. In 1983, the PCPF designated each May to be a month of advocacy for this initiative, and every President since then has promoted it. A good question to ask is “Why should we make a concerted effort to focus on improving our fitness?” Let’s go over 6 reasons and 4 practical steps toward achieving them.

1. Physical fitness prevents and reduces the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even many types of cancer.
2. A physically active life can reduce stress and anxiety.
3. Perhaps counterintuitively, increased activity can actually increase your energy and feeling of vitality so that you feel less tired performing normal tasks throughout the day.
4. Not surprisingly, greater physical activity leads to better sleep, which in turn lends itself to overall wellness. Sleep is so much more important than people usually realize.
5. Robust physical health also improves cognitive functions like memory, learning retention, and attention.

Recognizing the need to put some time and effort into improving your health is one thing, but actually implementing lifestyle changes that are conducive to your wellness is where people often fail to make progress. A few notable choices you can make to get you started in the right direction are:

1. Incorporate walking when you normally wouldn’t. Maybe purposefully park farther away from the store, or take the staircase instead of the elevator, or exit a bus one stop short of your destination.
2. Join a local sports or fitness oriented group class. The routine schedule and social aspects of meeting up with other like minded members of your community will make exercise fun and offer a measure of accountability. A host of options are available right here in Manatee and Sarasota
3. Utilize technology. There are many free and low cost apps for smartphones and PCs that can help you stay consistent and track your progress. Take a few minutes to see what Apple iOS and Android have to offer.
4. Don’t be discouraged by limitations. If you have back or joint pain from injuries or arthritis you may feel like you’re precluded from even beginning a fitness journey, but with the right treatment you can get back to moving without pain. A Licensed Physical Therapy Doctor knows how to create a plan specific to your level, regardless of whatever physical challenges you may be experiencing. Physical Therapists can both work around and improve achy joints and back problems to help get you back on track to enjoy general fitness and even sports if you like.

Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida is the place to find experienced, friendly, expert-level help to get you moving without pain once again. The really great thing is that Dr. Mullis and his team of Physical Therapists and Assistants treat back and joint pain without surgery or opioid drugs. What better time to get serious about your health by dealing definitively with your joint aches and pains through physical therapy. Call (941) 264-1414 for an appointment or to find out more information. You can also email us info@ptdoctorsfl.com or send a direct message.