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Why Movement Matters
Updated: Sep 16, 2021
Right down to its tiniest molecules, our bodies love to move...
We're built for it... and your health relies on it.
Here’s a shocking stat for you:
“In less than two generations, physical activity dropped by 20% in the U.K. and 32% in the U.S. In China, the drop is 45% in less than one generation.” - designedtomove.org
In this series, I'm going to explain how essential it is for your health and body … and this goes far beyond the results you see in the mirror when you workout!
Daily movement has been an absolute game-changer for me in my life. As you may know, I was a competitive athlete growing up, culminating in playing baseball at the collegiate level, against some of the best in the nation. But after my playing career was over, I found myself beat up and burnt out.
I dove into the working world, running businesses and learning a ton, but the feelings of stress and anxiety only continued to increase. Until I got back into a movement practice, with a whole new perspective.
Exercise was still a way to improve my stamina and strength, but the mental health benefits were what truly struck me. Even to this day, movement is something I enjoy doing purely out of enjoyment, not just because it’s good for my body… but also because it makes me feel better mentally!
So even if you don't think movement matters, please read on and just keep an open mind. You might be very surprised by what you learn!
Moving your body regularly helps everything from your energy levels, emotions, relationships, and ability to learn, to your overall quality of life.
Here are just a handful of the numerous benefits that movement (walking, dancing, gardening, exercising, cleaning, etc.) may provide to you:
It can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.
It can help support brain health. It’s also been linked to a lower risk of dementia.
It boosts your mood by stimulating the creation of mood-enhancing chemicals in your brain.
It helps you handle stress better.
It can help improve your focus and attention span.
It can help your body battle inflammation.
It also aids in the functioning of your body's lymphatic system, which is like an army within you that fights illness. Because your lymphatic system lacks a built-in "pump" to assist your body to eliminate toxins, the movement of your muscles is actually responsible for assisting this vital fluid in moving!
Here's some trivia you may share with your friends:
How much faster can you recover from a common cold if you exercise regularly?
Answer: Your chances of coming down with a cold are cut in half!
People who were active 5 or more days a week were 50% less likely to get a cold over a 3 month period, according to a study of 1,000 individuals. And if they did catch a cold, their symptoms would be around 40% less severe.
Pretty amazing, right?
The good news is that virtually any activity can assist you - stretching, walking, or tackling a mountain of laundry!
So, whatever gets you fired up to move will provide these benefits.
Here’s a challenge for you …
Every day this week, set a timer for 15-20 minutes and move nonstop.
If you're really serious about it, put it as a calendar event each day.
It can be a short workout, a brisk walk, or even an intense cleaning session at home. To make it more fun, play some music to set the tone!
If you’re not sure where to start or need some guidance with your movement routine, I can help! I am dedicated and ready to partner with you in any capacity: from providing a health coaching session on how to implement a movement practice that benefits mental health and wellness, all the way through a full coaching program that's tailored specifically for your fitness goals. If this sounds like something up your alley then contact me today! You won't regret it :)
REFERENCES: https://drhyman.com/blog/2018/05/22/30398/
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/spleen.html
www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-simply-moving-benefits-your-mental-health-201603289350
www.bbc.com/news/health-11664660