Happiness is Healthy Movement

Create an environment where you can move often.

When people think of healthy movement - people naturally default to the idea of exercise: Swimming, Rock Climbing, CrossFit, Bootcamp, Weightlifting, Yoga, Hiking… you name it.

People typically associate movement/exercise to looking better or losing weight (both are the results of frequent movement). But what if there was more? What if healthy movement lead to healthy thoughts, healthier relationships and a healthier outlook on life?

As a fitness professional for the past 16 years, heres one thing I’ve come to learn. Forging a physical body that moves well is the golden ticket to a happier, healthier life.

We were created to move.

When I think of a healthy mover, words like freedom, confidence, autonomy, happiness.

Here are five parts of your body that benefit from healthy movement.

1. Your Brain - Taking a 30 minute walk three to four times a week can help regenerate the structures of your brain linked to cognitive decline in older adults. If you are work from home or have a job that forces you into a seated position - make an effort to take walks. 

2. Your Bones - Surprise surprise. Your bones will degenerate over the years. I see this in my parents as they are approaching their mid 60’s. I could really see their decline as they started their 50’s. Healthy movement like resistance training helps build more durable, denser bones. Resistance training means externally loading your body with any type of loading. Something I’ve ben doing is combining my brain work with my bone work. I’ll go for longer walks with a weight vest on.

3. Your Lungs - Healthy movement means getting your lungs working. By doing so, your cardiorespiratory endurance increases. Whether for intervals, steady state higher effort or high intensity, working your lungs helps you breathe better and breathing better helps you live a healthier, happier life.

4. Your Heart - A healthy body requires a healthy heart - so get your engine moving. Healthy movement can cut your risk of heart disease by 50%.

5. Your Muscles - This is the obvious one! We have more than 600 muscles in your body that contribute to about 30-50% of your total body weight. Healthy movement allows us to strengthen our muscles, which are responsible for stability, balance, and coordination.

Here are six ways to sprinkle healthy movement into your life

1. Use a standing desk when possible. Standing instead of sitting will prompt you to move but also - it takes effort to stand! Set a reminder to stand and move every 20-30 minutes

2. Take a walk during your lunch break

3. Talk a walking meeting. I do a lot of these with my team members.

4. Find the worst parking spot furthest away from the store entrance. Enjoy the hike to the store, your car will also thank you for preserving the paint (no dings!).

5. Always take the stairs.

6. Get a walking treadmill under your desk.

   And as always, you can get into a regular focused exercise routine. Whatever you choose - choose to move. Because moving leads to a healthier, happier life.