Everyone needs exercise to stay healthy but not everyone can engage in complicated exercise routines. Luckily, there are many simple exercises that anyone can do to stay healthy. Here are 5 of the easiest exercises around to get you on the road to a healthier, more active life.

Walking

Walking is one of the simplest exercises around and almost anyone can do it. Of course, to get maximum benefits from walking then you want to do it purposefully without stopping. Walking at a brisk pace for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day can do wonders for your health.

Squats

The squat is an easy exercise because all you have to do is squat down. You only need to squat as low as you feel comfortable going and you can go lower as your legs get stronger. You should never extend your knees past your toes or take your thighs lower than parallel to the floor if you are a beginner. Squats are great because they work the big muscle groups of the legs to burn a lot of calories and to strengthen muscle groups you use every day.

Pushups

Pushups are another great exercise that you can modify to fit your fitness level. If doing the usual variety is too difficult for you then you can do knee pushups instead. Just be sure that there is sufficient padding under your knees to prevent injury.

Crunches

Crunches are the safer, more effective alternative to the traditional sit-ups where you just roll your shoulders up off the ground enough to engage your abdominal muscles without overtaxing your back muscles and your lower back muscles in particular. Back problems are often the result of weak abdominal muscles so this is a great exercise for anyone with back problems. As with any exercise, you will want to check with your doctor before attempting crunches.

Calf Raises

Calf raises strengthen your calves, a major muscle group of the legs. All you have to do is raise up on your toes and the slowly lower your feet back down. You will want to do this while holding on to something steady just to make sure that you are able to maintain your balance.

Deep Breathing

Taking deep breaths is an extremely simple exercise that anyone can do to stay healthy. Deep breathing is a well known stress reliever. Stress makes the body more susceptible to illness and other breakdowns so deep breathing protects the health of the body by diminishing stress levels. Oxygen is also an important component of many bodily processes so taking in more oxygen will help your body to function better. When you realize that most people take shallow breaths and are constantly low on oxygen, sometimes to the point of slightly suffocating, then you realize just how much of a difference deep breathing can make.

These are 5 simple exercises anyone can do to stay healthy. Health is not something that comes or goes by chance. If you maintain your health then you will be healthy and if you don’t then you won’t.

T. Rheinecker is interested in informing people about how to get a Masters in Health Administration.