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Fitness Education Is Key To Unlocking A Healthier Lifestyle In The Post-Pandemic World. Here’s Why

Fitness education refers to the provision of formal health education across a variety of platforms, including activities such as classroom lectures, interactive games, group meetings, group exercise activities, and so on.

In the post-pandemic world, fitness is no longer a hobby or a privilege but a non-negotiable necessity. Why? Because the viral outbreak threw the focus of an individual’s place in the community into sharper relief. As the infection spread across the globe unchecked, it became clear that the health and safety of society are not just closely linked but are precisely equivalent to the health and safety of the individual.

A healthy society is one where every one of its members is healthy. A disease-free society is one where every single person is at least inoculated and, at best, immunized against the said disease. In the past, we have created precisely such a society by eradicating the threat of polio, smallpox, measles, etc. Sooner than later, we will conquer COVID-19 as well.

Until then, the best way a person can help society at large is by keeping themself fit and healthy.

Why fitness education? A look at the challenge landscape

In the time of Covid-19, fitness needs to be taken seriously not just as a subject in school or as a method to de-stress but as a discipline in the lives of people across demographics for leading a healthy life. The WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” Fitness is meant to help people achieve this state by keeping their bodies in the best condition possible. The relationship between health and fitness has never been highlighted so strongly than in the post-pandemic world.

On the one hand, the pandemic-induced lockdowns put a stop to even the minimum amount of physical exertion that comprised a normal way of life in the pre-pandemic days such as going out for a leisurely walk or to the nearby shopping center. On the other hand, people began relying more on their digital devices to not just study and/or work remotely but also to maintain socio-emotional connectedness. The minimized scope of physical activity combined with excessive screen time – which is already associated with negative mental health outcomes – translated into a perceptible spike in cases of anxiety, depression, sleeping disorders, etc. In light of research indicating compelling overlaps between emotional responses and the immune system, this meant that people suffering from mental health problems were at higher risk of developing physical health complications on account of the virus. These are precisely the challenges that fitness education can help people deal with.

What is fitness education and how it can help?

Fitness education refers to the provision of formal health education across a variety of platforms, including activities such as classroom lectures, interactive games, group meetings, group exercise activities, and so on. It is a method by which it is hoped that the education component will translate to an actual behavior change in the lives of people. How? By making them aware of how lifestyle factors such as exercise, stress management, etc. can help them live a healthier and happier life. The WHO recommends the minimum levels of regular physical activity that people across age groups must adhere to for optimal health and wellbeing. For children and adolescents between 5 and 17 years of age, at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity for at least 3 days a week is recommended. For adults aged 18 and above, it recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week.

But just how important is exercise? Research has shown that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise alone is enough to relieve insomnia, which is not just a symptom of poor mental health but also an aggravating factor for it. According to the WHO, regular physical activity can reduce high blood pressure, help manage weight, and reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, type 2 disease, and various types of cancer. Feeling less stressed is one of the most crucial mental health advantages of exercise right now. Exercising regularly, be it independently or in online gym or Zumba sessions, can also improve cognitive functions, boost energy levels, and improve overall feelings of wellbeing.

Fitness education can help people attain a healthy lifestyle in the post-pandemic world. While its value is not under debate, it is important to highlight that taking part in fitness activities does not replace the need for taking precautionary measures and going for regular medical checkups. No degree of scientific progress will alter the simple fact that prevention remains a better alternative to cure.

Source: Business World

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