Movement Week 4

“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.”

– Plato

This March, we examined how movement is vital for mental and physical health. After answering how we can benefit, we learned to schedule movement every 30 minutes, short, consistent 2-5 minute breaks that easily fit into your daily routine.  With this method, instead of saying “I have to go to the gym,” you simply focus on moving throughout your day. We realized we can reconsider our approach to household chores and gardening. Thinking of it as exercise that conditions our bodies. Not to say that a regular routine of going to the gym or walking outside or playing pickleball and tennis isn’t worthwhile. They are, but it is when we choose not to go, for whatever reason, that it becomes harder to get back. When people discontinue exercise, it stops being a priority. They may be hesitant to get back after a break because they lost so much strength or conditioning. Incorporating movement into your day can motivate you to try activities like yoga or going to the gym. Even those people who have a daily hour of exercise will improve body function by moving throughout the day, especially if they sit all day at work.  We want to reframe our thoughts of movement as a process that we enjoy, then it will be more consistent, not just another thing to scratch off our to-do list.