From the time we leave school or college, and throughout our working lives, it is important we take steps to look after our physical and mental health.  

Our middle age years, roughly between the ages of 40 and 60, are when the effects of our lifestyle can start to appear. During these years, we may begin to experience the onset of chronic diseases or other health problems.  

Experts recommend that we all do 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week (enough to increase our breathing and raise our temperature) or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise, or a combination of the two. Some is good, more is better.  It’s never too late to start. It can reduce our risk of: 

• Type 2 diabetes by 40% 
• Coronary heart disease by 35% 
• Depression by 30% 
• Joint and back pain by 25%.