Children who are physically fit absorb and retain information more effectively than children that are out of shape, a new study finds.

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/how-physical-fitness-may-promote-school-success/

Physical activity can improve your quality of life in a multitude of ways.

AHA physical activity recommendation

The American Heart Association recommends just 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise three to four times a week. Even brisk walking will do.

Here are some reasons why physical activity is proven to improve both mental and physical health.

Physical activity boosts mental wellness

Regular physical activity can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger. You may not only notice a “feel good sensation” immediately following your physical activity, but most people also note an improvement in general well-being over time during the weeks and months as physical activity becomes a part of your routine. Specifically, physical activity can improve mental health as it:

• Releases tension
• Promotes enthusiasm and optimism
• Counters anxiety and depression
• Improves self-image

Exercise increases the flow of oxygen which directly affects the brain. Your mental acuity and memory can also be improved with physical activity.

Physical activity increases immunity

It enhances your immune system and decreases the risk of developing diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It also helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging and maintains quality of life and independence longer for seniors.

Physical activity reduces risk factors

Becoming more active can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. Physical activity lowers your heart disease risk as it:

• Prevents and manages high blood pressure
• Reduces coronary heart disease in women by 30-40 percent
• Reduces risk of stroke by 20 percent in moderately active people and by 27 percent in highly active ones
• Establishes good heart-healthy habits in children and counters the conditions (obesity, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, poor lifestyle habits, etc.) that lead to heart attack and stroke later in life

Physical activity can also boost your levels of good cholesterol.

Physical activity prolongs your optimal health

Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function well. And for each hour of regular exercise you get, you’ll gain about two hours of additional life expectancy, even if you don’t start until middle age. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, for as little as 30 minutes a day has the proven physical health benefits listed above as well as:

• Improves blood circulation, which reduces the risk of heart disease
• Keeps weight under control
• Helps in the battle to quit smoking
• Prevents bone loss
• Boosts energy level
• Helps manage stress
• Helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly
• Increases muscle strength, increasing the ability to do other physical activities

See for yourself. Once you get over the inertia and find creative ways to fit physical activity into your life, we think you’ll agree that the effort to get moving is worth it!

Physically active young people can do better in school and improve their self-expression, self-confidence and social interaction compared with more sedentary children (WHO 2017). Indeed, two studies published in 2017 underscore the value of children getting plenty of exercise.

Let’s take a quick look at this research.

Exercise and Children: Better Brain Health, Less Obesity, Less Stress

Bad posture is something that most people don’t think about — until they experience negative health consequences.  But numerous studies have shown that it can lead to long-term back pain, fatigue and even migraine headaches.  In this guest post, James Hollister goes over a simple action plan to improve bad posture, with specific habits you can easily add to your day.

Click on the picture below to view this article.

You need relief! Stress relief, that is – and we have 20 simple but highly effective stress reduction techniques that you can use, starting now.

Click the image below to view this article.

Who knows better how vulnerable your home is to a potential break-in than those who do the breaking in? In an age of ever-increasing technology, from smartphones to smart homes, it’s not surprising that criminals are stepping up their game as well. More bad guys are taking a professional, ordered approach to burglary, casing homes for days and doing research about homeowners, neighbors and neighborhoods.

In order to keep your house and loved ones safe, here are some home security tips from burglars about what every homeowner should do to keep them out.

Click the image below to view this article.

The Foolproof Guide to Staying in Shape While Traveling

Have you ever wondered why one woman might be marked ‘easy prey’ over another?

Why is a petite woman in skimpy clothing overlooked while a heavy-set woman wearing jeans and a t-shirt selected?

Although it’s creepy to think about, violent men have an almost uncanny sixth sense when it comes to detecting vulnerability.

And while most women have no clue about how frighteningly intuitive the minds of dangerous men are, by the end of this post, you’ll no longer be one of them.

Easy Prey? What Do Violent Men Look For In The Women They Target?

The very fact that this article, 5 reasons for women to take a self-defense course, has to be written speaks volumes about the collective female psyche of today. As a group, we continue to deny the need for our own self-protection, relying instead on arguments that the law, our spouse, brother, father, etc, should be protecting us. The statistical reality is that the ones we expect to protect us are the majority of the ones committing the crimes. But the reality is, if we expect things to change, than we need to be the principal architects in effectuating that change.

So let’s sum up the basic 5 reasons why EVERY female should be taking some type of women’s self defense course to ensure her own safety.

http://www.self-defense-mind-body-spirit.com/5-reasons-for-women-to-take-a-self-defense-course.html

Some aspects of home martial arts training, such as those required to perform a particular technique, are specific to a particular martial arts. Others involving overall physical fitness and endurance are likely to improve performance in most styles. You can target your home workouts to improve both aspects of your training.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/331023-home-exercises-for-martial-arts/