Move it

Not that I get my health news from Parade magazine – and you shouldn’t either! – but I think that a recent “Healthy Live Longer & Better” column is worth mentioning.  It was presented as ten Q&As , the set-up being that readers would think they knew the right answer, would choose that “obvious” answer and then zing, find out they were wrong.  For example:

Which of these two habits could shave the most time off your life?
(a) smoking
(b) watching TV

Of course, you answer (a) because you know how evil smoking is, how it causes lung cancer and contributes to heart disease and is a risk factor for just about everything bad that can befall you.  But the answer is (b) watching TV.  Whaaat?  I’m pretty sure the clever, unnamed author of this little feature didn’t mean that literally.  I’m pretty sure that it is the action – or rather inaction – of being a couch potato that shortens life not the actual watching of TV.

What about this question: Which of the following is most likely to improve your memory?
(a) solving crossword puzzles
(b) going on regular walks
(c) taking gingko biloba supplements

Lots of stories on health sites and in magazines about the memory-boosting power of crossword puzzles and sudoku and brain teasers.  Lots of noise about the miraculous gingko biloba.  But the answer is (b) going for a walk.

Another question (I promise this is the last) asks what the best treatment is for creaky, arthritic knees.  The possible answers include:  taking it easy, taking a particular much-touted supplement or taking tai chi.  Tai chi wins.

In fact, in each of these 3 questions – and several others – some kind of physical movement is the key to improving (in addition to longevity, memory and arthritis) quality sleep, bone health, mood and energy level.

Parade says:  Move it.