Active Living

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The rise of technology has led to a shift in our lifestyles. We spend more time sitting and scrolling on screens than ever before.

Incorporating movement into your day – at home, work, play, and/or commute can make a huge difference in your overall health and sense of well-being.

Canadian Guidelines for movement offers direction on what a healthy 24 hours looks like for Canadians of all ages.

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Physical activity refers to all movement. Popular ways to be active include walking, cycling, wheeling, sports, active recreation, and play. It can be done at any level of skill and for enjoyment by everybody.

Physical activity for adults (aged 18-64)

Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of over 25 chronic conditions, including:

  • stroke
  • colon cancer
  • osteoporosis
  • hypertension
  • breast cancer
  • type 2 diabetes
  • coronary heart disease

Regular physical activity allows daily tasks to be done with greater ease and comfort and with less fatigue. Research shows that as much as half of functional decline between the ages of 30 and 70 is due, not to aging, but to an inactive way of life.

For more information, visit: Adults 18-64 – 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (csepguidelines.ca)

Benefits of regular physical activity

  • Better health
  • Improved heart and lung function
  • Stronger muscles and bones
  • It helps you feel more energetic
  • Improved mental health
  • Maintain mobility and be able to be independent as you get older
  • It helps you cope with stress

Physical activity guidelines children and youth (aged 0-17)

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

Children and youth need physical activity every day for their healthy development. Learn the recommended balance of physical activity, sleep and sedentary behaviour from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP):

Related Resources

For older adults (aged 65 and older)

Regular physical activity maintains:

  • balance
  • strength
  • flexibility
  • coordination

For more information, visit: Adults 65+ – 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (csepguidelines.ca)

Active Transportation

Active transportation is using your own power to get from one place to another.

This includes:

  • walking
  • biking
  • skateboarding
  • in-line skating/rollerblading
  • jogging and running
  • non-mechanized wheel chairing
  • snowshoeing and cross-country skiing

Active transportation benefits your:

  • health
  • society
  • transportation system
  • environment
  • economy

Active transportation allows us to be physically active regularly and is accessible to Canadians. It can increase social exchanges and reduce road congestion. In addition, while contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, you also save money on gas and parking.

How to build active transportation into your life

Getting outside and moving around is a good way to find out if your community is designed to support an active lifestyle.

Make the best use of what your community has to offer.

  • Think twice about using your car for every trip. Could you walk or use your bike instead?
  • Dust off your bicycle. Cycle to work when the weather permits.
  • Trade in your dress shoes for running shoes. Strap on a backpack and walk all, or part of the way to work or school. Learn more on Ontario Active School Travel's website.
  • Instead of driving your kids to the park, walk or make it a family outing on your bikes.

If you are thinking about moving, think about the transportation options available to you in the new location:

  • Is this neighbourhood “pedestrian-friendly?”
  • Could you walk to do most of your small errands?
  • How far away is the nearest school for your child?

What is a walkable community?

A walkable community makes it easy, safe, and enjoyable for people to walk or cycle as part of everyday life. Walking is a more practical option in neighbourhoods that are designed with homes, workplaces, schools, shops, and parks close together.

When people can walk to where they need to go, they don’t have to rely as much on driving. This supports better health, a cleaner environment, and a stronger local economy.

Related Resources:

Same roads – same rules – same rights

Share the Road is a public safety campaign to increase motorists’ and bicyclists’ awareness of shared responsibility for road safety. The main feature of this campaign is the caution signs along county roads. These signs are a reminder for drivers to be aware of other road users – bicyclists and walkers and to use caution when approaching them.

Bicycles are vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and have the right to be on the road. Drivers must give 1 metre of space when passing someone on a bicycle. Motorists, bicyclists, and walkers all have to follow the rules of the road.

Bicyclists:

  • Obey ALL traffic laws, signs and signals
  • Always bike on the right with traffic
  • Signal all turns
  • Be visible: wear bright colours and use lights in low light conditions
  • Ride straight in a predictable manner

Walkers

  • Walk facing traffic or use sidewalks where available
  • Wear bright clothing and reflectors
  • Make eye contact with drivers
  • Look all ways before crossing

Motorists

  • Only pass when the road ahead is clear
  • Slow down and give one metre clearance when passing
  • Yield to bicyclists when turning
  • Don’t honk your horn at a bicyclist
  • Check for bicyclists before opening your car door