Permanent link for Physical Activity & Beyond! on February 22, 2024

Physical wellness is just part of the wellness wheel, but a super important one! With spring around the corner, it is a great time to get outside to get some physical activity!

What is physical wellness and physical activity? 

Physical wellness is about making positive choices to maintain a healthy body! Healthy looks different for everybody, but one way to make a positive choice for your body can be through physical activity! The WHO states that physical activity is any physical movement that engages your muscles while exerting more energy than you would while resting. 

Why is physical activity important?

According to the WHO, Physical activity can help mitigate and manage different health risks. Some of these include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, numerous cancers, and hypertension. Physical activity can also be good for enhancing mental health, maintaining a healthy body weight, bettering balance and sleep, and improving overall well-being and quality of life. 

What is the recommended amount of physical activity to get as an adult?

The WHO recommends that adults between the ages of 18-64 should get between 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or between 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity a week or some combination of the two. This rounds out to be about at least 20 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a day or at least 10 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity a day each week. The WHO also suggests that this age group should do moderate-intensive muscle-strengthening activities of all major muscles at least 2 days a week and be conscious of how much time is spent being sedentary.

What are the different ways you can be physically active on campus and beyond? 

Recreation and Wellness offers many opportunities for students to get physically active and involved, including the Climbing Center, UFit plan, Intramural Sports, Club Sports, Personal Training, Group Exercise classes, Swim Lessons, and more! Athletic and Recreation Facilities also offers Open Swim hours at the pool, Racquetball Courts by reservation, Open Recreation Center hours to get a workout in or play basketball on the basketball courts, Open Turf/Track hours at the Kelly Family Sports Center to throw around a frisbee, play spikeball, or run on the track! And most of these activities are free for students or are discounted! 

Have you ever heard of Ottawa County’s Parks?! Grand Valley is surrounded by them! There is one within walking distance of Grand Valley! Take a friend, a dog, or yourself on a walk, run, or bike ride to get some physical activity at Grand Ravines North. Not too far from this entrance is Grand Raives South, which has a dog park and a suspension bridge! If you’re looking for other parks to get some physical activity, look no further than Grand River Park or the Grand River Open Space, which provides trails and serenity within a 10-minute drive from campus! 

There are many ways of getting physical activity indoors on campus and in the great outdoors surrounding campus! Physical activity is a positive way of taking care of your physical wellness to maintain a healthy body! Remember to do what is healthy for you, as healthy looks different for everybody, and be safe while performing physical activity, too!

By: WIT Peer Educator, Ru

Categories: Fitness General Wellness Outdoor Adventures Press Pause Rest
Posted on Permanent link for Physical Activity & Beyond! on February 22, 2024.