Americans are spending more time at work and sitting in front of a screen than ever before. We’re becoming less active, which can increase our risk of heart disease, stroke and other diseases.
Being physically active is important to prevent heart disease and stroke, which are responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease is the leading cause of death and stroke is the leading preventable cause of disability.
Research has shown that every hour of regular exercise can add about two hours to life expectancy, even if you don’t start until midlife. Plus, physical activity can relieve depression, improve your memory, lower your blood pressure and help prevent obesity.
April 6 is the American Heart Association’s National Walking Day, and we want people to lace up for their heart and get moving. Whether it’s walking, running, biking, playing sports or taking a yoga class, the goal is for adults to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of both), while kids should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
Thirty minutes a day, five times a week, is an easy goal to remember. You’ll experience benefits even if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10 to 15 minutes per day.
So, grab your sneakers, lace up and get moving toward a healthier heart!
Calls to Action:
- Sign up to participate in National Walking Day (as an individual, school or company), and take 30 minutes on April 6 to get up and walk. (www.heart.org/nationalwalkingday)
- Join the national celebration on social media using #AHALaceUp.
- Use National Walking Day to kick off a month-long focus on being more active and creating healthy habits and engaging your colleagues, friends and family members in the Saturday, May 14thMetro Detroit Heart Walk!
Physical Activity Facts:
- Sedentary jobs have increased 83% since 1950, and physically active jobs now make up less than 20% of our workforce, down from 50% in 1960.
- Our average workweek is longer. Full-time workers in the US work about 47 hours each week – that’s more than 350 extra hours worked each year.
- Adult (and childhood) obesity/overweight level continues to increase: 69% of all adults are obese or overweight.
- One in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963, and childhood obesity is now the top health concern among parents in the United States.
- Half of all adults and more than 60% of children do not get daily vigorous physical activity.
- About one in three adults report participating in no leisure time physical activity.
(SOUTHFIELD, Mich.) – The city of Southfield will host the Leap Year Winter Fest featuring a spectacular fireworks finale on Sunday, February 28 from 2-6 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion located in the Municipal Complex at 26000 Evergreen Road.
Students from Lawrence Technological University undergraduate sculpture class designed and built a 3-D light sculpture at the Southfield Town Center. The objective was to create an art installation that was interactive, enhanced the surroundings, and impacted visitors to think about how art impacts our world. Financial support from the project was provided by the Southfield City Centre as part of their efforts to create a vibrant mixed-use environment in the city centre district. The Southfield Public Arts Commission also assisted in implementation and will ensure proper future maintenance of the piece occurs.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Lawrence Technological University has purchased the Mark Plaza building and its nearly five-acre site at 21411-21415 Civic Center Drive in Southfield from KLM Ventures LLC. Portions of the building will continue to be leased to outside tenants and will also become home to the Southfield SmartZone and Southfield Michigan Works! offices.
The Maccabees Center has received The Outstanding Building of the Year Award (TOBY) ) in its local 250,000 – 499,999 square foot office building category. Presented by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Metropolitan Detroit (BOMA), this is the most prestigious and comprehensive program of its kind in the commercial real estate industry, recognizing quality and awarding excellence in property management. All facets of a property’s operations are thoroughly evaluated during the judging process, including image, amenities, tenant relations programs, community involvement, emergency preparedness, security standards and continuing education for management personnel.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – University of Michigan Professor Alan Deardorff will speak on “The Trans-Pacific Partnership: Pros & Cons” for the sixth annual Harold Hotelling Memorial Lecture on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at Lawrence Technological University, 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield.