Regular activity is proven to protect your health in many ways. It can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%. Moving more is especially important for people who have type 2 diabetes or are at risk of diabetes as it is proven to:
1. Reduce blood pressure and cholesterol – Having high blood pressure can put you at risk of developing diabetes complications and reducing cholesterol can protect against heart disease.
2. Staying active is good for your mental health. Regular activity releases endorphins which are proven to reduce stress levels and improve low mood. Group activity is also a great opportunity to meet people and have fun.
3. Improves your blood glucose (HbA1c) – Being active can help your body to use insulin better, as well as improving your blood glucose, in some cases being active can also help to put the condition into remission. For some people this can mean your blood sugar levels are below the diabetes range and you may no longer have to take diabetes medication – this makes a significant difference to your health now and in the future.
The link below has specially selected options for people living with or who are at risk of diabetes. Please take a look and see which you would like to explore.
Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership – Diabetes / Pre-diabetes (sasp.co.uk)