You probably know that exercising is an important way to stay healthy. Activities like running, swimming and playing tennis are great for strengthening the body, but did you know that there is a regimen that not only enhances your physical well-being but also your emotional and mental health? The holistic mind-body system is known as yoga and originated many centuries ago in the East. The benefits of yoga poses are countless, which is why millions of Americans practice the maneuvers on a daily basis. Incorporating yoga and other forms of exercise into your lifestyle can be a great way to reduce your risk of developing a disease like type 2 diabetes, according to a popular article on CNN.
Don't have time to exercise? Every little bit helps
Epidemiologist Jared Reis and his team from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute explained that spending even 15 minutes each day walking or practicing yoga can be good for you.
They analyzed data from 200,000 men and women participating in a decades-long study from the National Cancer Institute. About 10 years into the research, roughly 9 percent of the individuals developed diabetes. These people were more likely to smoke cigarettes, be overweight, eat unhealthy diets and consume alcohol. Study subjects who led sedentary lifestyles had the highest risk of all.
Engaging in physical activity helps you lose weight
Reis told CNN that being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes.
"It isn't always an easy thing to lose weight and to maintain that weight loss over the long term," he said, quoted by the news source. "So this is good news for those individuals who have a tough time losing weight: You can still lower your risk with these other lifestyle changes."
Practicing yoga on a regular basis can help people shed pounds and keep diseases like diabetes at bay.
