Teens engage in many risky activities ranging from unhealthy dietary habits to unprotected sex.  Amongst the seven major health risks is inadequate physical activity. Many teens avoid partaking in a healthy amount of physical activity.

To maintain good health, a person should complete 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity each day.  That means that for at least 30 minutes of every day, you should be doing an activity that gets your blood pumping and your muscles moving.  This recommendation is even enforced in schools; to graduate, students are required to take one full year of physical education or a sport. People who do not exercise regularly are at a greater risk of developing diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or even cancer.  Studies prove that regular exercise will help reduce depression and anxiety.  Other studies show that students who are on a sports team in school also perform better in class. In high school, females are less than half as likely to get the necessary amount of exercise as males. Inadequate physical activity is a serious and underestimated problem.

Think back to the last time you enjoyed going on a run that you took just because you wanted to. If you’re anything like me or half the people I know, the answer is probably similar to “if I have ever, it wasn’t often,”  which is okay, because for now we’re just teenagers. For now, our metabolisms are still pretty good for the most part, and we’ll have plenty of time to go for runs when we’re in college trying to get to morning classes. Our bodies can move freely between rest and motion. However true this may be, if we keep to these habits we’ll eventually never get into the habit of exercising regularly. It’s harder for form new behaviors like that later in life. Start now.

To decrease the aforementioned health risks, all you have to do is cut out one episode of your favorite TV show. That doesn’t mean having to partake in vigorous exercises. Simple jump-roping is better than doing nothing.