Mobility is one of those things that we take for granted until it’s threatened or it’s gone. It’s so important to move your body in some way everyday, no matter your age or circumstance. Your movement choices don’t have to be complicated or fancy. A little movement goes a long way to keep you vibrant and healthy for all of your days.
BENEFITS OF MOVEMENT:
- It improves your strength.
- It improves your balance.
- It gives you more energy.
- It prevents or delays some diseases (ie. heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis)
- It can improve your mood and fight off depression.
- It may improve cognitive function (how your brain works)
You can also address – and in some cases – improve chronic illnesses with movement. This includes heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis. Basic movement can be broken down into four categories. It’s a great idea to combine at least two, if not all four categories in any movement session to keep your body balanced and your exercise well-rounded.
ENDURANCE: increases your energy, breathing and heart rate. Improves the health of your heart, lungs, and circulatory system.
- walking
- jogging
- dancing
- swimming
- biking
- tennis
- basketball
- climbing stairs/hills
- raking, mowing
STRENGTH: makes your muscles stronger.
- Lifting weights
- Using a resistance band
- Doing body-weight exercises
BALANCE:
- Standing on one foot
- Walking heel-to-toe
- Tai chi or yoga
FLEXIBILITY: stretches your muscles, keeps you limber and makes mobility easier overall.
- stretching
- yoga
Not sure where to start? Keep it simple. Start by literally putting one foot in front of the other on a walk. Evolve a walk into a hike, and maybe even a run. Access videos online with exercises that seem interesting to you. Start slow, and be honest about where you are (not where you think you ought to be). Exercise evolves as you do. The more mobile you are, the more easily you can diversify and evolve your movements. Remember to breathe. Remember to have fun with it. The rest is relative. You got this!