The resolution that could save your life
It’s not too late to make a new year’s resolution. I’ll be honest — mine have been changing on a daily basis. I figure I’ll have it all sorted out by the time January is over.
Having just read what I did, though, I think I know what I might end up choosing.
Because this new year’s resolution could very well save my life.
It’s a classic, really — the resolution to exercise more. I promised myself at least three trips to the gym per week. It’s not easy to fit that into a busy schedule, but I’m suddenly feeling quite a bit more motivated.
Because a new study reveals that consistent exercise is linked to a lower risk of dying from colon cancer. In fact, this study from the Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis is one of the first to show that exercise can make colon cancer less deadly.
The researchers followed more than 150,000 people between 1982 and 2006. They found that those who exercised consistently for at least 10 years (okay, that sounds like a tall order, I know, but I’m determined to make it part of my routine) had the lowest risk of colon cancer death than people who led sedentary lifestyles.
The researchers were quick to point out that, despite that 10-year requirement, it’s never too late to start exercising. They also pointed out a few things we already know about regular exercise — it reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other cancers.
And you don’t have to be a gym rat to get the benefits — even a 30-minute walk every day can dramatically reduce your risk of the diseases I just mentioned. You’ll also get a mental boost.
Of course, as I write this, I’m sitting on the couch with my laptop and a sleepy cat. But I promise as soon as I finish typing, I’m lacing up my sneakers and hitting the gym.
Is your new year’s resolution to get more sleep? If you’re like me, you’ll need all the help you can get. Click here for a resource that will have you getting all the zzz’s you need.
Sources:
“Consistent exercise associated with lower risk of colon cancer death,” Newswise (www.newswise.com)
