96 % of the body's nutritional need is for Oxygen (O2). We can go for as long as 40 days without food, 4 days without water, but we can't last 4 minutes without oxygen (if we do there is significant brain damage)! Additional facts about Oxygen:
Exercise increases the amount of oxygen our body cells receive. It also causes a flushing of the veins and arteries. As the arteries and veins become clearer, more oxygen is able to cross through to the blood from the lungs and thus on to the cells throughout the body. When the cells receive this increase in oxygen, they become energized and start vigorously cleaning house, rebuilding and rejuvenating the cells. An increase in exercise is necessary to carry off the debris and toxic wastes for removal from the body. The amount of exercise you do is dependent on what your body is able to tolerate. Any amount of exercise is helpful, but the ideal is to get your heart into an aerobic range for a minimum of 30 minutes three to five days a week. What kind of exercise? Do something you can enjoy. If you don't enjoy your exercise routine, you won't stick with it, and it will cause more stress (which you are trying to get rid of). One of the best ways to get exercise is simply by walking. Measure off 1 mile and continue walking that 1 mile until you can walk it in 15 minutes, then increase that to 2 miles in 30 minutes and so on until you reach 4 miles in 1 hour or less. Other exercise to try: rebounding on a mini trampoline (great for the lymphatic & immune systems), swimming or bicycling. Start slowly. If all you can manage is a walk to the mailbox, to the end of the drive, or around the house - do it and then work up to where you want to be. Whatever you do, get in the habit of doing something everyday. Your body will thank you for it! |