What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

The content emphasizes the importance of physical fitness for mental and physical health, advocating for activities like walking and yoga. It discusses the benefits of exercise, including improved immunity, balance, weight management, muscle and bone health, and enhanced cardiovascular and mental well-being. Walking, in particular, is highlighted as an accessible exercise for all ages.

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“A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.” This old saying underscores the fact that a healthy body is also necessary for a healthy mind. Keeping oneself healthy and sound implies a sharp mind and clear positive thoughts.

You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of Gita

Physical fitness keeps a person spirited and agile. A healthy lifestyle is necessary for a physically fit body and soul, which is helpful in constructive thoughts and actions. “You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of Gita,” says Swami Vivekanand. He rightly believed and preached that strength is the sign of life and growth, and weakness is the sign of death. Health is a gift of nature and keeping it intact is our duty.

Fitness is not limited to bodybuilding and muscular strength. It is more than that. A body which wards off minor ailments in a natural way is an important aspect of a healthy body. A physically fit, thus, is the one whose body is armed with immunity.

In biological terms, immunity means the natural ability of the body to fight pathogenic microorganisms which cause disease in the body. Immunity is an intrinsic process that involves complex antigen and antibody reactions. In this process when a foreign particle enters the body, the body’s security system starts producing antibodies that fight with antigens and kill it. The stronger the immunity stronger the body’s system to fight diseases.

Exercise is one of the several ways of keeping the body fit with a strong immunity system. Physical exercise replenishes the body with the required amount of strength for vital organs, muscles and bones. With the increased physical activity, the heart starts beating briskly to fulfil the increased oxygen demand of the body. At the same time, increased blood circulation flushes out the waste of toxic materials generated during the process of exercise. The receding open spaces in city life and the natural way of exercising have also waned drastically. Fast life and poor working conditions amalgamated with work pressure do not give enough time for exercise.

It is preferred to exercise regularly. If not daily, at least four days a week. Some people prefer Yoga, some go to the gymnasium, while some prefer to take up walking. The gymnasium provides professional body exercises performed under the supervision of a trainer who helps in taking a particular exercise properly. Different instruments like dumbbells, bench presses, and iron pumps are available here. It is, nevertheless, a costly affair and suitable for professional bodybuilders, sports persons or those who want to take up jobs related to it. Though the growing urge to brandish social status, more and more neo-rich are joining a gym. 

Yoga and walking are the best ways of exercise for general people who want to keep fit at minimal or no cost. They have advantages as well. Both of them are performed preferably in an open area like a park or garden. Parks or gardens offer ample verdure, fresh air, sweet Chirping of birds and a salubrious environment with lots of serene and calm surroundings. Such environments are fit for meditation and Yoga practice. Walking in such environments elevates the mind and soul. I shall now focus on walking as it is my choice also.

Passing through canopies of bamboo plantations, clumps of shrubbery and enjoying the sight and sound of hopping Crow Pheasants, small and agile Munias, calling Copperheaded Barbet, and many more birds gives immense pleasure. Usually walking up to ten Kilometers on promenades and beaten paths gives the required amount of stamina and strength. The distance is variable according to the physical condition of the one who is walking. It varies from a kilometre up to several kilometres. Most people walk up to two or three kilometres. The fresh air is invigorating, and the occasional meeting of friendly people steps up the walking experience. Walking improves blood circulation and helps in gaining muscle mass and bone density.

The benefits of walking, especially during morning and evening, are many. Including those which have been spelt out in the above paragraph, the important benefits are listed below. Walking is an exercise that is based on the body weight. While walking, the legs carry the whole body weight. This is why walking is considered a better fitness choice. Major benefits are:

• Immune System – walking increases internal functioning and strengthens the immunity system. As has been discussed earlier in the paragraph above, enhanced immunity successfully wards off minor ailments.
• Balance – walking helps in body balance by improving posture and mental alacrity. This is helpful in the advanced stages of life by keeping the body stable and coordinated.
• Weight management – walking helps effectively in managing body weight. During a walk, the body is fully leaned on the legs and knees. Acting as a bench press, the body weight causes more calorie burn, which helps in managing body weight.
• Muscle and Bone Health – As has been said, walking involves the whole body. It’s a coordinated action of brain, heart, muscle and bone. Body pressure is also a great help in stretching and contracting the muscular system and skeletal framework of the body. It improves the knee joints and keeps them in healthy condition. The stretching of muscles helps in a coordinated way to manage and keep intact the bone density and muscle.
• Cardiovascular and Mental Health – The increased amount of oxygen during walking causes increased pumping of blood into the body and the functioning of the heart and lungs. The blood receives more fresh oxygen and supplies to the various organs. This activity enhances the level of oxygen and, thus, the vitality and energy level. The whole process causes improvement in the cardiovascular system of the body. Increased fresh oxygen supply enhances brain operation and helps sustain its health. Needless to say, proper brain operation is as important as the healthy working of the heart but is rather more important.

Walking is important not only from the health point of view but also due to its contribution to the overall vitality of the body. It is considered a preferred mode of exercise, especially for senior citizens. During the advanced stage of life, muscular mass and bone density start waning. The weakening muscles and bones are prone to muscular cramps and bone fractures. They sometimes become fatal. It is rightly said that a brisk ten-minute walk is equal to one hundred and fifty minutes of weekly exercise. It also allows the doer a close association with Nature and its components. Chirping birds, hovering insects, a kaleidoscope of butterflies, and the morning sun enhance the spiritual power and connect with the unseen but omnipotent Almighty.

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