Mindful Movement and Mental Health
We always hear the gym gurus telling us to get up and get moving. “Lift heavy and get fit,” they exclaim! As loud as these people can be, they have a very valid point that shouldn’t be silenced. The human body is designed to move around and be agile, however, the world is forcing us into being lazy. The technology and other man-made objects allow us to stay confined to our home’s walls; and that’s not how it’s supposed to be. There are so many benefits to standing versus sitting, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Although this seems obvious most of the time, the majority of society never really learns why this is the case.
Activity throughout the day aids people into feeling more energized and awake. You know that groggy feeling you get in the morning? No matter how much sleep you got the night before, you just feel tired and heavy. Well this feeling could go away if we gave our bodies the fuel it needed. It also helps improve mental health because of maintaining a healthy weight. Fitness gives the human mind a goal to work towards. Getting up in the morning, drinking a glass of water (yes, before your coffee fix), and going for a walk will help you find a passion for health and productivity.
We’ve all seen that one 85-year-old man that still runs marathons and can do handstands for days. This could be you! Staying active throughout the day prevents chronic illnesses and other various diseases for most adults. I’m not even talking the high intensity workouts that some people do. A simple walk in the fresh air during your lunch break or choosing to stretch your legs every 30 minutes at your desk will suffice. This keeps the blood circulating through your body. You can reach long term effects of better health in comparison to others that did not decide to take these minor steps in life.
Long story short, there are so many positives to living a healthy lifestyle. This can better your present self and future self. So why wouldn’t you want to make yourself happy? In the end, you live with yourself 24/7. You deserve to be the best version of yourself!
-Written by Jessica Skrelunas