Even brief periods of intense physical exertion, enough to leave you slightly breathless each day, could dramatically reduce your chances of developing serious illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, and type 2 diabetes. A comprehensive study encompassing nearly 100,000 individuals revealed that the vigor with which you move is a critical factor, potentially even more so than the sheer amount of time spent active. Integrating short bursts of high-intensity movements—like hurrying to catch a bus or rapidly climbing a flight of stairs—was strongly correlated with remarkable reductions in disease risk, particularly for conditions related to inflammation and overall brain health.

