Movement: The Fundamental Aspect of Life
The technological revolution has put us in front of the computer and on the chair.
Sitting has become a lifestyle dictated very often by the kind of work that we’re doing or the way we choose to spend our free time = games, TV, etc.
Did you know that sitting has been recently linked with many diseases and chronic conditions?
Back pain, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular issues and mental health - all these problems have been tied to the increasing amount of time we spend sitting.
By doing so, we’re going against our nature. Movement is a fundamental part of life and I’m not talking about working out. No.
I’m referring to a balanced amount of small daily movement that has been neglected due to our lifestyle change and the fact that our minds now focus on quick wins.
History knows that we moved more because it was part of life but as we matured and things were handed to us more easily, we lost the need for regular walking, climbing, running, carrying, swimming, digging or throwing to name a few natural activities.
Movement is programmed into the human brain as a crucial aspect of how we engage with the world.
Why You Should Move More
Daily movement helps your whole body: brain, joints, muscles, cardiovascular system, skin… They’re all interconnected.
By increasing the number of daily activities you enable your mind to acquire new skills and improve your concentration. That, in turn, affects your and mental health and overall well-being.
As a human, you move your body to express your needs, emotions, thoughts and ideas so if you move well with mindful intent then you can think, feel and live well.
Moving regularly helps you maintain a good posture, gives you healthy joints, strong bones, it improves blood circulation and metabolism. All of these body functions play a fundamental role in your health so make sure you make the everyday movement as important as your nutrition.
A Little Exercise Is better Than None
Bear in mind that this does not mean you need to go all out every single day to perform a high-intensity training. This is a recipe for burning out and some serious injuries which will result in you having to pause all movement for a longer period of time to recover.
Instead, focus on how to introduce your body to a methodical system where you create a healthy habit of doing less but regularly.
Please refrain from competing with others in exercise. Most of us are not athletes and do not need to put that much strain on our bodies.
Start with changing the way you approach the meaning behind the daily movement.
In this day and age, people think of exercise as a tool to get quick wins. They focus on the fitness look, rapid weight loss, building abs and bums, and religiously counting their calories.
An active lifestyle is much more than you can see on your favourite Instagram page for intense HIIT exercises.
You don’t need a strenuous workout to move more.
Simplify your exercise to what you love doing and not just based on how you look.
Focus on moderate exercises that help clear out any toxins without feeling exhausted. It’s about breaking enough sweat to make you feel energised but not tired.
This way you’ll also boost your cognitive function and get rid off the brain fog or mental exhaustion. It’s all about having more energy and a zest for life to be able to take on new challenges and feeling more confident.
Natural Movement Suggestions
Climb the stairs instead of using an elevator
Walk up hills
Choose a real bicycle and take it out for a ride
Walk or cycle to get your groceries
Carry your groceries in reusable bags or a backpack
Stand up from sitting down every 90 minutes
Walk a dog
Don’t fall into a routine, mix it up and change your exercises
Focus on bodyweight exercises
The last suggestion can effectively replace the need for gym access, especially in the times when group exercise is restricted.
Bodyweight workout is hugely beneficial as it helps build muscle and burn fat so you become stronger and leaner.
There’s a myth that you can get a more demanding and worthy workout only by using the gym equipment. It’s not true. By increasing the number of reps during your bodyweight set and reducing rest time you increase time under tension so the exercise can still be strenuous enough to give you the desired result (e.g. pushups, squats).
Remember though that the rest and recovery are both equally important and effective.
Here are some of my favourite strength exercises that you can do anywhere:
Lunges
Squats
Planks
Push-ups
Superman
Calf raisers
Plank
Side plank
Leg raises
Leg criss-cross
Side twists
Classic slow crunches
Tips: hold the position for longer and pulse for more “bite”. Add light leg weights to increase the intensity. Get resistance bands - they’re good for all ages and levels.
The swiss ball is a classic, inexpensive piece of apparatus that has many uses. It can spice up your exercise routine and also help improve your posture while sitting as it engages your whole body - you simply have to sit up to stay on it.
Whatever exercise or moving routine you choose, remember that it is your journey and your body so make conscious decisions focused on improving your health and wellness.
Listen to your body - it has all the natural intelligence to know what you need.
Would You Like to Upgrade Your Mindset?
I’m sure that you all want to eat good, get active, healthier and enjoy your life to the fullest. One obstacle standing in the way is most likely the lack of guidance and information about the main concepts that will help you begin lifelong changes.
By making some fundamental improvements to the way you approach your thoughts, relationships, food, exercise, and life in general, you can set the right structure for your process of transformation to make it more sustainable, easier to follow and execute.
How do you do it?
Join my mailing list to keep up to date about my first wellness e-book: The Mindset Blueprint 21/90 Challenge.
It is designed to give you all the necessary concepts and navigate you through the process of unlocking your full potential. This method reflects my personal wellness journey experience, over 23 years of professional practice and thousands of hours of consultations with clients from different walks of life.
If I could transform my life and others have managed to do it following my methods, you can do it as well!
