How Important is Movement?

How important is movement?

Our bodies are made to move. As humans, we function better with movement rather than without. In fact, sitting is the enemy. There are both physical and psychological benefits of movement. Physical benefits include improved oxygen and blood flow, joint lubrication, better digestion, lower blood pressure, hormone balance, better sleep habits, better brain and nervous system function, improved immune system function, weight management not to mention getting stronger. Psychological benefits include stress reduction and enhanced mood due to the release of dopamine and endorphins which makes us feel good. Feeling good is the goal. 😊

When should you move?

The answer is as often as possible every single day. Movement can be anything you can imagine that moves our bodies. Such things as walking, running, hiking, swimming, cycling, strength training, sports, dancing, Yoga, Pilates, martial arts, stretching, joint mobility and the list goes on. The key is to find what you enjoy most and do it as often as possible. Consider body weight exercises where no equipment is required. Consider using stairs not just for going up and down, but for full body-weight workouts. Thirty minutes per day is all you need.

Habit Stacking with Gratitude

Consider stacking a movement on top of a habit. Choose to do a movement when you perform a daily habit. For example, when you brush your teeth, do ten neck and shoulder rotations. When you go to the bathroom, do ten chair squats. While waiting for the shower to warm up, do ten deadlifts (bent over hip hinges) with an overhead reach. When you take a drink of water, do ten plie squats with overhead reach. When you start a load of laundry, do ten wall push-ups. Hold an elbow or side plank during the commercials of your favorite TV show. After turning off your morning alarm, do standing cat/cow spinal stretch and side reaches with arms overhead.

Note: At least once per day, name one thing or one person for which you are grateful while doing a movement.

Energy in the Bucket

Consider yourself as having a bucket of energy each day. You spend your energy in a multitude of ways. Some things (and some people) take more energy from the bucket than others. Some days, you may have energy to move more; to do more. Some days you may have less. Many things affect the energy in the bucket such as lack of sleep, stress, hormones, poor or lack of nutrition. The amount of energy in your buckets determines how much movement you want or need. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. It will tell you what it can and cannot do.

On the days when your bucket if full, move more. Push yourself a little harder. On the days when your bucket is half full, allow yourself to move easier; but don’t skip moving all together. Don’t give yourself a hard time about not getting your thirty minutes of movement. Tomorrow is a new day.

For any questions or guidance, feel free to reach out to me on Fitness With Christa Facebook page, Instagram or email: ChristaCowell@FitnesswithChrista.com or Fitness With Christa website. I’m here to help.