Exercise As Treatment For Cfs

Many people believe that because the number one symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is excessive fatigue that they should spend all of their time resting. Getting adequate rest and sleep is so important but regular exercise is a way to increase energy levels and therefore is so important fro those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.

One of the first treatments to be tried for CFS is an exercise program in the form of graded exercise or pacing exercises. In the case of graded exercise (GE, GA or GET), this is a type of rehabilitation program that involves self-monitored or supervised activity or exercise that is graded. Pacing is a form of self-controlled rest and exercise that is designed to minimize an individual's homeostatic disequilibrium. Still other forms of exercise are sometimes undertaken for pain relief and these include gentle forms of stretching, gentle yoga, walking, t'ai chi, and non-aerobic exercise.

There are many benefits to incorporating exercise into your day-to-day life. Keep in mind that the majority of people have jobs where they spend long periods of time sitting at desks therefore finding ways to add more physical activity is incredibly important for overall good health.

When an individual exercises on a regular basis he or she decreases the risk of developing heart disease due to the fact that the circulation of blood in the body is improved and works more effectively. Blood cholesterol levels are improved when a person exercises regularly and daily physical activity helps to prevent the development of high blood pressure. Regular exercise is an excellent way of maintaining a healthy body weight and it helps to increase energy output. Regular exercise is also an effective way to cope with stress as it works to release pent up tension in the body in a healthy way. Physical activity works to prevent the loss of bone and it has a positive effect on sleep. Meaning that those who exercise consistently are able to fall asleep very easily and tend to sleep well throughout the night. Muscle strength becomes greater when exercise is done on a consistent basis and this means that other types of activities that require muscle strength can be performed more readily and with greater ease. For senior adults exercising on a moderate scale serves to improve quality of life and positively affects the mental state and mood of the individual. It also has been shown to delay or even prevent the onset of a variety of chronic illnesses.

Exercise is not just beneficial for the body but for the mind as well. People who exercise frequently feel better about how they look and this helps their overall level of self-esteem and improves their self-image tremendously. Physically fit people are happier in general than people who are not physically fit and they report higher levels of satisfaction in their day-to-day lives. Optimism towards the future and enthusiasm is increased and daily exercise is an excellent balm for feelings of anxiety, nervousness and depression.

For those who are not used to exercise start with something light such as walking for 20 to 30 minutes per day and then work up to more. For those who already exercise on a regular basis, keep it up. Try to vary the types of exercises you do so you will not get bored and give physical activity up all together.

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