Tips & Tools for Staying Active

Important Information About Staying Active

Staying active is important for the health and wellbeing of everyone. In this section, we have included a few of the benefits of staying active, including some benefits specific to kidney patients. We have also added some important health and safety tips that you should review before you begin any exercise.

Some Benefits of Staying Active

  • Improving your mood and managing stress

  • More energy throughout your day

  • Improving dialysis efficiency (if appropriate)

  • Helping you maintain a healthy body weight

  • Improving mobility and strength

  • Improving blood sugars, blood pressure and cholesterol levels

  • Improvements in restless leg symptoms

  • Helping you sleep better

Vector illustration of a clipboard with a list, a stopwatch and a pen.
 

Staying Active Health and Safety Tips

  • Before you start any new exercise check in with your health care provider to make sure it is right for you.

  • If you have not been exercising for a while or are new to exercise, you should start slowly and progress gradually to reach the recommended targets.

  • Many people with kidney disease say they often feel too tired to exercise. If you feel this way, try just 5 or 10 minutes at a time. It can actually help you feel LESS tired.

  • Remember to stretch the major muscle groups before you start exercising and cool down after exercise.

  • Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes. Check it frequently before and after exercise, especially if you are new to exercising.

  • Choose the time of day to exercise that is appropriate for you. 

  • For hemodialysis patients, right after dialysis might not be good, as blood pressure may be too low. Or if you have missed a dialysis treatment or have excess fluid in your system, that might not be a good time either.

  • For peritoneal dialysis patients, exercising with an “empty” abdomen might make it more comfortable, just check with your health care team before changing your treatment plan.

  • It is important to listen to your body and what feels right to you. You should stop exercising if you feel:
    – Very tired
    – Have leg cramps
    – Feel dizzy
    – Become short of breath

  • If you really are feeling unwell you should not attempt to exercise.

  • If you have chest pain, significant breathlessness or think you are experiencing a medical emergency - dial 911 immediately.

Use the PRE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) Chart

It’s essential to know your limits when exercising. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the levels of exertion you can experience while exercising, by using our PRE Chart.