Are you Craving Movement?
Stress, hard work, and lots of thinking create tension in the body which can lead to chronic aches, tightness, and even constipation. Many people alleviate these symptoms with alcohol an sugar, which ultimately worsen their unease and anesthetize the body. Not to mention increases the risk for cancer and disease. Exercise is a great way to release built up physical tension. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise will have up to 12 hours of a stress relief effect, reducing your cortisol levels. Developing a regular exercise program to suit your particular body type and lifestyle will have numerous rewards. The challenge is to find the types of exercise/movement you enjoy the most, and then build them into your life.
What Type of Exercise Works Best for You?
Think About What You Love to Do as a Kid
Did you dance, bike or hike? This is a good place to start when looking for a new exercise routine.
Listen to your body
Know that movement is a lot like food. Once you understand how different types of movement nourish your body in different ways, you can put together a menu of activities to keep yourself balanced.
Feeling frail or unfocused. Take it slow - walk down the driveway and back if you have to. Just make an effort to get in as much movement as possible each day. Small steps lead to big things.
Feeling tight and tense? Try gentler exercise to increase lightness and flexibility, like swimming or yoga.
What is your personality type?
If you’re a quiet person who likes a lot of alone time, consider buying a small trampoline or set of hand weights so you can move in the comfort of your home. Trampolining is a great way to to drain your lymphatic system and 10 minutes of jumping is equivalent equals approximately 30 minutes of moderate exercise.
If you like being around groups of people, you can find team sports like volleyball or dragon boating, which have the added benefit of human interaction and fun competition. Dragon boating have a role in recovery from breast cancer and lymphedema because it can improve the range of motion and reverse muscle atrophy, activate skeletal muscle, and stimulate the immune system.
You can also find a blend of the two by taking a group fitness class like Pilates, karate, or dance.
When do you feel most energetic?
Just as some people think more clearly in the morning and others think more clearly at night, some people prefer to exercise first thing in the morning, while others prefer to exercise later in the day. There’s no right or wrong; it’s simply a matter of personal preference.
Think about convenience and comfort level.
Look for a gym or yoga studio near your home or on the way to the office. It’s important to find a location that’s convenient, and where the atmosphere is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming. This will increase you chances of going regularly.
And remember, physical activity can take simple and modest forms, like getting off the subway or bus one stop earlier and walking to your destination. It can be taking the stairs instead of the elevator to your office or apartment. It can be taking your dog for a walk or your children to the park. A 30-minute brisk walk everyday may be all you need to keep yourself in shape.
Be experimental and find a routine you can nourish yourself with on a daily basis.
What will get you moving? Need help with motivation or finding time? Set up a free consultation!
©2014, 2016 Integrative Nutrition, Inc. | Reprinted with permission