FROM THE CEO EXERCISE, FROM THE CEO THE NATURAL MEDICINE SMA CEO ANTHONY MERRILEES TALKS ABOUT THE POSITIVE EFFECTS EXERCISE CAN HAVE ON YOUR HEALTH This issue of Sport Health focuses have trickle down effects including in on exercise as a treatment. helping you “sleep better, reduce stress, This was cause for reflection incontrol your weight, brighten your mood, my own health and prompted me sharpen your mental functioning.” to think of my youth and the way exercise was a part of the daily fabric of life.Exercise has the added element of being enjoyable through socialising. As we grow older though, exercise The best by-product of exercise is doing can become an arduous task. Reflectionit in a group environment. The benefits upon oneself is tough and for me, of socialising and exercising around others research holds the answer. Physical in an environment where people are there Anthony Merrilees and overall health of the individual hasto improve their lives, is contagious. The anthony.merrilees@sma.org.au become a rather large social movement effects this can have on mental health over the last handful of years. Socialis well documented. media platforms are abuzz with fitness and health gurus exploding with Team sports are the easiest way knowledge and tips for the average joe.of interacting with others in an enjoyable However, a deeper look into how exerciseatmosphere whilst being active. My youth can benefit your overall health, led to thewas filled with many sports and sporting discovery of some interesting articles.teams that provided not only the physical benefits of being active, but the added Stumbling through many readings, I camefriendships. There are also plenty of across a compelling article on the Harvardcorporate team-based competition Medical School’s website. This sentenceplatforms around Australia. These sorts The benefits of encapsulated both the simplicity of of competitions are a great initiative exercise and the myriad benefits of and provide the benefits of exercise, socialising and getting active each day: “Adding as littlealong with being sociable and fun, exercising around as half an hour of moderately intense while not being overly competitive. physical activity to your day can help you others in an avoid a host of serious ailments.” ForI hope this issue helps encourage most, myself included, that could be asyou to get more active and enjoy environment where simple as a walk with your dog before the multitude of benefits exercise people are there to or after work. This simple action can can provide. improve their lives, is contagious. VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 2 2018 3