Bettina Herbert, M.D.
Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine

There is a magic prescription: it helps control weight, improves heart
health, increases strength, lowers blood pressure, controls blood
sugar, improves your cholesterol profile, staves off dementia and
improves your mood. A pill? No. Something much more wholesome:
exercise. Not just the 'exercise 'til you hurt' kind. But any
increased activity that you enjoy and can incorporate into your daily
routine: parking at the other end of the lot when shopping, climbing
one flight of stairs instead of taking the elevator, walking the
neighbor's dog, playing Frisbee with the kids, walking around the
block to greet your neighbors. Start small and soon you may actually
want to move more. That's natural. Combine this with other healthier
habits and you've had a major change of direction – toward wellness.