According to research carried out in the UK, one in seven people fail to exercise on a regular basis making it an important part of their daily routine. As a result the number of heart disease cases as well as diabetes, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome and depression is on the increase. Children are becoming more and more overweight and the UK now takes a leading position when it comes to obesity in Europe.

Instilling the importance of exercise in children is crucial in order to give them the opportunity of a long healthy life. By starting young exercise will become second nature and it will be something they pass on to their own children when the time comes. Cases of hyperactivity, ADHD and anti-social behaviour disorders are all thought to stem from an unhealthy lifestyle.

As well as the young it is also just as important for the elderly to stay nimble and exercise a little every day. Not only will it help keep their bodies in tip top working condition but also their minds. As we get older the body begins to degenerate but exercise has proven time and time again to slow down the aging process and keep many illnesses at bay. Particularly those recovering from a disease or operation staying in shape can speed up the process.

The swine flu virus usually bring on a high temperature of over 38 degrees Celsius and comes accompanied with one or two of the following; headache, running nose, sore throat, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, aching muscles, vomiting or diarrhoea, cough and shortness of breath.

If you are running a temperature and have been experiencing some of the symptoms for over 7 days, 5 days in children then you need to consult the National Pandemic Flu Service either online or by phone. For those already suffering from a serious illness that weakens the immune system, have a sick child less than one year old, women who are pregnant and those who suddenly find themselves getting considerably worse you must contact your GP as soon as possible.

The incubation period for mild cases of swine flu is generally a week and those at high risk of developing a more acute form of the virus will be given the vaccine Tamiflu. To lower the risk of passing on the swine flu virus you are asked to stay at home until the early flu like symptoms have passed. Recovery should occur up to 5 to 7 days after initial contraction.

By adopting a healthy lifestyle you are ultimately giving yourself longer to live your life. Cutting out or avoiding bad habits such as excessive drinking and smoking can and will have beneficial effects on your heart. Minimising stress will bring down any high blood pressure and adopting a healthy eating regime will lower your cholesterol level thus bringing down your chances of suffering a heart attack. In addition, being overweight can be dangerous to your healthy as it putting strain on the heart causing numerous ailments and diseases.

Healthy eating is an important part of adopting a healthy lifestyle and promoting a healthy, strong heart but in conjunction with this regular exercise is of utmost importance. When it comes to exercise it doesn’t have to involve going to a gym. It can be as simple as taking long walks, using the stairs instead of the lift and performing stretches and easy breathing exercises. Staying active is not only a positive for your physical well being but also your mental state. As well as looking good regular exercise also help you to actual feel good about yourself and the skin you are in.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle is particularly important amongst families. The sooner we teach and encourage our children how to develop the basic practice the better the outlook will be for the future.