A few minutes of incidental exercise could halve the risk of heart attack, according to a study

Impressive! Even those who dedicated just over a minute saw a 30% reduction.

Now, guys, don't get jealous. Although men did not experience the same magnitude of benefits, those who engaged in 5.6 minutes of daily activity still reduced their risk by 16%. Why this difference? The researchers are still unsure. But hey, something is better than nothing, right?

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Small gestures, great benefits

Don't get me wrong. Nothing replaces a regular exercise regimen, which should be at least 150 minutes a week according to health recommendations. However, if you find yourself in complicated weeks where the gym seems like a distant dream, those small increases in incidental physical activity can make a difference.

Dr. Luke Laffin from the Cleveland Clinic states that even the simple act of climbing stairs can be beneficial for those who do not exercise regularly. As he rightly puts it, "something is better than nothing." Additionally, Dr. Bradley Serwer points out that these small "bursts of activity" can keep us more agile and burn some extra calories.

Incorporating incidental exercise into your life

You probably already do some incidental exercise without realizing it. But why not try a bit more? Here are some ideas:

- Park the car further away from the supermarket entrance.
- Carry your groceries without a cart.
- Give the floor a good scrub.
- Take your dog for a walk or play with your children.
- Walk while talking on the phone.

The list goes on and on! Just remember that frequency is key. A few minutes here and there throughout the day can add up to great benefits.

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Conclusion: Move whenever you can!