Dr. Juli Mazi ND has nearly a decade of experience working as a naturopathic doctor, treating a range of health conditions and helping patients of all ages and walks of life improve their overall health and wellbeing. She has long advocated a holistic approach to health, including healthy eating, exercise, and sleep habits, and she offers insight into what even short, daily runs can do for one’s short and long-term health.
Many people think they need to spend at least half an hour to an hour exercising every single day in order to see tangible positive results, she says. However, she explains, a study has found that running between five to ten minutes a day, at slow speeds of under six miles per hour, can significantly lower the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease; furthermore, it can increase one’s lifespan by up to three years. She also explains the study shows that non-runners are more likely to have a higher body mass index and higher blood pressure than those who make time for short runs on a regular basis. Furthermore, non-runners are more likely to suffer from hypertension than runners, and are more likely to suffer from diabetes than runners. These health problems can not only affect one’s heart but also other facets of one’s health. Obesity, for instance, has been linked with fatty liver disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, gallstones, and even some forms of cancer. Diabetes can lead to blindness, increase one’s risk of having a stroke, and cause nerve damage.
Dr. Mazi is quick to point out that running isn’t the only form of exercise that can counteract the health problems outlined above. Jogging, cycling, working out at the gym, and other forms of exercise can also have a significant positive impact on one’s health. While the study highlights the benefits of running, she has always been careful not to put one form of exercise above another. Rather, she prefers to work with patients to create a custom exercise plan that is in line with their needs and wishes, as she has found that those who pick a form of exercise they enjoy doing are more likely to stick with their routine than those who don’t really enjoy their exercise time.
The Doctor puts a premium on identifying the root cause of her patients’ ailments, and she often finds that a lack of exercise and failure to adhere to a healthy diet are the underlying reasons many people suffer from one or more chronic health problems. While she encourages the use of medication when warranted, she also urges individuals to eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink plenty of water, make time to exercise every day, and adhere to a good sleep schedule in order to get enough rest each night. Even taking small steps towards a healthy lifestyle can boost one’s healthy long-term, enabling him or her to lead a long, healthy, productive life.