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According to a new report published today by the respected medical journal Lancet, a lack of exercise can cause more deaths than smoking. The report said that physical inactivity in approximately one third of adults causes around 5.3 million premature deaths a year, which is more than the 5.1 million deaths that smoking causes. This comes as quite a wake-up call to those leading sedentary lifestyles and proves how important an active and healthy lifestyle is to increase your longevity.
Read more: Dangers of Inactivity: Kick-start Your Active Lifestyle
Jumping on a bike, inside or out, increases your cardiovascular fitness and burns calories whilst being kind to the environment, and can also be a favourable means of transport. Nowadays, many people take to a bike to get into shape as it's easier on the joints and bones than many other activities and contrary to popular belief, it makes use of a range of muscles, not only in the legs, but also including the gluteus maximus, biceps and triceps. This makes it a great option for those who want to avoid high-impact, more strenuous exercises but still want to boost health and reduce stress. Cycling is the perfect way to build stamina whilst enhancing strength and muscle tone and according to the British Medical Association, cycling just 20 miles a week can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by a considerable 50%. So, when choosing between indoor vs. outdoor cycling, how do you decide which style of cycling would suit you best?
Father's Day is just around the corner and you know what that means? It's time to show your dads how much you appreciate them and how you are genuinely concerned about their well-being. With life becoming increasingly complex with work, social and family demands, fathers are finding less time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are stressed from trying to juggle work deadlines, raising children and finding time to connect with their wives. Stress is likely to be a major role in our dads' lives, not to mention the concerns of potential health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, which are ranked as the top three health issues plaguing men. It's important to take interest in these concerns and to help fathers in preventing them, which can be done through the right diet and exercise. What better than to book an active and healthy holiday for your dad!
Joseph Pilates, the method's founder, said, 'Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. In order to achieve happiness it is important to gain mastery of your body.'
Are you looking to do something different this Easter? Maybe another Easter egg hunt just doesn’t cut it. We share 6 of our favourite healthy activity holidays for singles, couples and families. Put yourself first and enjoy the perfect singles holiday with a wellness break in Spain or a detox retreat in Thailand. From fitness holidays and luxury spa breaks ideal for couples to activity holidays suitable for the whole family there is something for everyone to enjoy this Easter. Whether you are after a quick healthy getaway or willing to travel further afield, be inspired by our diverse selection of healthy activity holidays.
Read more: Easter Healthy Activity Holidays: Singles, Couples & Families
If you're looking to watch your weight there are so many healthy drinks that can help aid weight loss, simply by drinking them you can feel fuller than if you had drunk a fizzy drink, which can help stop snacking during the day.
Inline with the current trend for healthy holidays in exotic surroundings, Shanti Maurice has join forces with world class fitness and nutrition experts SP&Co to launch its first Health & Fitness week starting on 3rd June 2013. Over the course of seven days in June, guests will work with a team of health professionals, from Reiki masters and spa therapists to personal trainers and nutritionists.
The world's obesity problem shows no signs of slowing and recent research claims that it is not our caloric intake or exercise regime that has changed over the last 50 years; it is the sheer amount of sugar in our food. Rebecca Dorta, Nutritionist at Grayshott Spa, tells us why sugar is a major culprit in the case against obesity and many, if not all, health concerns.
With Easter on the horizon, it is so easy to spend the month scoffing on chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. Do something different this year and feel guilt free by taking a revitalising spa holiday or luxury spa break. You certainly will not feel like an ‘April Fool’ when you jet off to one of our stunning healthy holidays, specifically handpicked for their excellent treatments and luxury facilities. From the mountains of Italy to the beaches of Portugal our selection has a wealth of treatments for everyone to enjoy. Book a wellness holiday in April and you could be enjoying a revitalising underwater massage in sunny Cyprus or relax with a foaming facial treatment in the Spain. Our 5 selections will surely inspire you to take the plunge to spoil yourself with a lavish spa holiday this April.
For some people, the first image that springs into mind when they hear the word meditation is that you are just sitting down saying ommmm with your legs crossed. Contrary to that opinion, meditation is certainly more than that stereotype. You can find insight, bliss and peace with added health and relaxation benefits. It can even change your outlook on life, reducing stress and anxiety. With our meditation retreats this can be possible and we have listed 3 of our best ones for healthy holiday inspiration. From our relaxing wellness retreat in the small island of Phuket in Thailand to the mountains of New Zealand, all our meditation breaks and retreats offer peace and rejuvenation.
We all look forward to a much-anticipated dip in the swimming pool on holiday or snorkel in the sea, but do we ever take into account the rewarding effects it has on our bodies? For many of us, swimming is more of a hobby rather than exercise and a quick swim can be an excellent way to unwind and de-stress or cool-off on a hot day. But few people actually consider the positive outcome it can bring about for our health. With some of these tips, why not try and make your next trip to the retreats pool or the beach a more beneficial one?
Wellness Experts
Interviews from leading health and fitness professionals from around the world to explore a wealth of knowledge in their areas of expertise.