One must keep moving or expect muscular or joint pain, especially as one ages. Consistent movement activates and strengthens the muscles, gets the blood flowing, moves the joints, creating a natural lubricant called synovial fluid and reduces stiffness and long-term degeneration. It is clear that activity and movement need to be integrated into life, but not easy to actually make that happen.
As society becomes increasingly immersed in the technological work and leisure world of computers, it is imperative that some kind of movement, activity or exercise become a part of everyday life. Being increasingly sedentary in work-worlds is often convenient but detrimental for overall health. Conscious, active movement can help maintain a balance.
In her article, A Growing Understanding of the Link Between Movement and Health, Laura Williamson comments on health and fitness.
“Staying active benefits health in myriad ways—including lowering the risk for heart attacks, strokes, dementia and several types of cancer, boosting mental health and potentially reversing Type 2 diabetes.”
Daily movement can take on many forms: a short walk/run around the block or a walk/run on your local community trail, 20 minutes of stretching/strength training between meetings, a trip to the gym to activate muscles through a weight program, biking, swimming or becoming involved in a fitness class, or a pickleball, volleyball or basketball session at your local community centre, among others.
There are also a number of free, easy to access fitness apps that can be downloaded on your phone which will lead you through a series of daily exercises. An example is FitOn, a free interactive app that is easy to access and use on a daily basis.
You can start small. For example, if you have aspirations to be a runner, start off by walking for 30 minutes and jogging for one minute after each 10-minute section.
Then, the next week, jog for two minutes after each 10-minute section. Continue this pattern until jogging becomes natural.
Hit up the local Iron Horse Trail, the Spur Line or, if you like inside walking/running during the winter, you can hit up the track at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.
Find a fitness buddy and have them commit to meeting you a few times per week for a workout/walk/run/bike ride. Having a buddy to work out with helps a person stick to fitness goals and create a workout routine.
Movement has an enormous amount of benefits physically as well as mentally.
Regular movement can provide better brain function and stronger bones and lower the risk of heart disease, cancers and diabetes.
For mental health, movement releases endorphins, which act as mood enhancers. For example, a good run has the ability to simply make one feel better due to the endorphin release. Life is put into perspective and sometimes the solutions to problems become clear.
Find what you love to do to stay active and just do it!
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