National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is an opportunity to celebrate and promote physical activity and the benefits of participating in sports. Physical activity is key to maintaining health and well-being. Getting active can improve fitness, reduce stress, reduce the risk for many chronic diseases, and ease symptoms of anxiety and depression while also improving sleep. Youth sports also help kids and teens get active and develop valuable life skills like leadership, time management, and relationship-building skills.

In honor of Physical Fitness and Sports Month, we want to encourage you to move each day, and get your family, friends, and classmates to join you! If daily movement isn’t already a part of your routine, consider starting your day with a walk around the neighborhood or trading in ‘around-the-corner’ drives for bike rides. If you’re working in an office, make a point to take a break from your desk and walk around throughout the day. If you are a student seeking out more ways to move, look into intramural or club sports teams. A few 5-10 minute activities throughout the day can add up! Even small amounts of physical activity can make a significant difference in your physical and mental health.

Perhaps there were some activities that you picked up at the start of the pandemic, that you may have drifted away from recently. Consider renewing some of those quarantine-time activities, especially with family and friends! We were once forced to find new and fun ways to stay active and we shouldn’t let them disappear. In whatever way you choose to participate in Physical Fitness and Sports Month, it will be sure to lead to a better and healthier well-being and life.

#MoveInMay #PhysicalFitnessAndSportsMonth