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Home / Health Bureau / Healthy Living / Physical Activity

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

Why should you be physically active?
Living an active lifestyle helps to:

  •     •    Control weight

  •     •    Lower your risk of getting heart disease, colon cancer, stroke, high blood 
              pressure, and diabetes.

  •     •    Keeps your bones, muscles, and joints healthy, controlling joint swelling and
              pain from arthritis

  •     •    Gives you more energy

  •     •    Handle stress

  •     •    Protect against falling and bone fractures in older adults

How much physical activity do you need?
The more physical activity we do, the greater the health benefits we’ll have, and the better we’ll feel.

  •     •    To promote and maintain health, adults 18 years and older should
              accumulate 150 minutes or more each week of moderate-vigorous physical
              activity.

  •     •    Activity should be performed at-least 10 continuous minutes at a time.

  •     •    Adults 18 and older should also do muscle-strengthening activities at-least
              twice each week that work all major muscles groups.

How can you increase your activity?

  •     •    Take the stairs instead of the elevator

  •     •    Drop the phone and walk to a co-worker’s desk

  •     •    Park further away from the store

  •     •    Plan family outings and vacations that include physical activity (hiking,
              biking, backpacking, skiing, swimming)

  •     •    Do sit-ups or push-ups as you watch TV

Did you know that Bethlehem, PA has be designated a "Playful City USA"?

  • Playful City USA is a national recognition program honoring cities and towns across the nation committed to taking action for play. In 2012, KaBOOM! recognized 213 cities in 41 states for their commitment to play!

 

Bike Bethlehem
A FREE program operated by the Bethlehem Health Bureau and partners. Bring an ID to borrow a bike and lock. Explore the city, run errands, and enjoy the outdoors! 

Borrow a bike at the following locations:

• Bethlehem Area Public Library (Main Branch)
• Comfort Suites 
• Wooden Match 
 

StoryWalk®

A StoryWalk® is an innovative way for children and adults to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to wooden stakes, which are installed along an outdoor path. Our StoryWalks® also include physical activity prompts for children to get exercise while enjoying the book. 

Please check out our StoryWalks® at the following locations:

  • • Bethlehem Area Public Library
    • Rose Garden Park
    • Sand Island

Please scan the QR code at the end of the story and provide your feedback on how we can improve your StoryWalk experience!
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"play"row plaza
Payrow Plaza has been transformed into a “play-row” plaza through the addition of playground stencils that encourage physical activity and learning. Come check out our painted hop scotch, alphabet snake, Tetris maze, a human sundial, and so much more!

Check out the video below to see "play-row" plaza in action! 
https://youtu.be/JbyplA57ImY



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