Take advantage of Friends’ Day to get your body moving and strengthen your friendships
Exercise is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Moving your body helps improve cardiovascular endurance, strengthen muscles, and control body weight, as well as helping to reduce stress and anxiety. However, not all exercise needs to be done alone; many can be done with friends, making it more fun and motivating.
“Regular social interaction stimulates the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, known to promote feelings of pleasure and well-being. Friendship also offers a vital support system in times of stress and adversity,” says Aline Sabino, a psychiatrist at the São Camilo de São Paulo Hospital Network and a specialist in psychogeriatrics at the Institute of Psychiatry (IPq).
So, on this Friends Day, discover 6 physical activities to do in a group!
1. Football
Soccer is a great game to play with a group of friends, as it combines fun with health benefits. This sport helps improve cardiovascular endurance, strengthen muscles and bones, and promote motor coordination. It also encourages socialization and the development of teamwork skills.
2. Volleyball
Volleyball is another interesting sport to play with friends, also promoting socialization and teamwork skills. Furthermore, it is a physical activity which helps strengthen muscles, especially in the arms, shoulders and legs, as well as improving coordination, agility and reflexes.
3. Running and walking
Running and walking are physical activities that can be done alone, but are more fun and motivating in the company of friends. They also help increase cardiovascular endurance, strengthen muscles and bones, and improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
“Both walking and running are good for your health and some benefits are common in both modalities, such as controlling hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol, improving circulation and the release of endorphins, hormones that relax the body, generate a feeling of well-being and improve the quality of sleep,” explains Dr. Aline Lamaita, vascular surgeon, member of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery.
4. Cycling
Cycling can be even more fun when done with friends, in addition to improving your health. This is because Cycling helps to strengthen leg muscles and improve cardiovascular endurance. In addition, it is a low-impact activity, which reduces the risk of joint injury.
“Cycling is a low-impact aerobic activity that involves the coordinated use of several muscle groups, especially the muscles of the legs, core, and glutes. These muscles are constantly activated to push the pedals and support the body on the bicycle. Therefore, the activity promotes muscle strengthening due to the resistance applied to the muscles during repetitive movements,” says Dr. David Gusmão, an orthopedic hip specialist.
5. Yoga
OR yoga It is a great practice to share moments of tranquility and well-being with friends. This activity helps improve flexibility, muscle strength and balance, as well as promoting greater awareness of one’s body.
“Physical practices include bending, stretching, twisting, holding, and inversion, with the goal of strengthening and lengthening the body’s muscles and improving spinal mobility,” explains yoga teacher Laila Gadel Marinho. It also helps reduce stress, increase concentration, and improve mental health.
6. Dance
A dancing is a physical activity which becomes even more fun when practiced with friends. It also helps improve cardiovascular health, increase flexibility and strengthen muscles. Dance also improves coordination and balance, while allowing for personal expression and creativity.
“Dance can help combat stress and mild or moderate depression. Those who dance are closer to others, which helps with this type of illness. It’s time to recharge your batteries, change your focus. You forget all your problems. They don’t disappear when you finish the activity, they’re there, but your batteries are recharged, with new energy to face them”, adds dance teacher Rogério Luiz Pereira.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
