Miami Living Magazine features the best Miami has to offer. Click on any magazine below and enjoy. You can download our free app on iTunes. Ideal for iPad and iPhone users.
Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/496873
This is the age of technology – today, we no longer have to grow our own crops, raise our own cattle, or leave home to communicate with others. Technology has enabled man to get the most done, using the least amount of energy as possible. This trait, among others, has allowed our species to climb to the top of the food chain and essentially take over the world — but at what cost? What does immobility do to our bodies and minds? Since 1980, adult obesity rates have literally doubled in percentage while childhood obesity has tripled. Additionally, healthcare costs have sky rocketed due to the obesity-related diseases that have increased, such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, breast and colon cancers, liver and gallbladder disease. Our bodies are clearly beginning to decay. The good news is that in addition to physical fitness and activity becoming a welcome "fad" in society, it is exactly what our bodies need to be rejuvenated. Fitness combats physical and mental decay. Physical activity of at least thirty minutes a day can drastically change your life. When you exercise, the brain releases more norepinephrine, a chemical that abates the brain's response to stress, dopamine and endorphins, which create feelings of joy and euphoria. These feel good chemicals help us combat stress and negative emotions before they have a chance to set in. Exercise not only improves your body and mind, but has proven time and time again to help people break unhealthy addictions as well. Several studies have shown that exercise can even lessen symptoms in the clinically depressed. In many cases, people suffering from depression experience effectiveness from exercise comparable CRUNCH TIME Exercise 30 minutes a day to keep the doctor at bay Words by Natasha Perez-Milan ON THE SCENE 34 MIAMI LIVING